What do you think of Jesus? Who is He to you?
The writer of Hebrews finished his letter to the Hebrews in this way – “Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves well in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, equip you in every good thing to do His will, by doing in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. But I urge you, brothers, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. Know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all.” (Hebrews 13: 18-25)
This letter, or epistle was most likely written around AD 67-69. During this time, persecution of Christians was becoming more severe. We find evidence of their persecution from Hebrews chapter 10 – “But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and afflictions, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you also showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted with joy the seizure of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession.” (Hebrews 10: 32-34)
Because of persecution, it would have been easier for this group of Hebrews to no longer identify themselves with Jesus. Some of them may have even changed their thinking about Jesus from being God manifested in flesh to that of an angel. The messianic Jews living in the community of Qumran near the Dead Sea had developed a religious commune and saw Jesus as an angel rather than the Son of God, and they worshiped Jesus as an angel.
The entire letter to the Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of Jesus Christ. Jesus has been given a better name than the angels – “God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds, who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power; who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1: 1-4)
Jesus does not and did not inherit a sin nature like we do. Think of his being born of a virgin. Our sin nature, which we all inherit at birth, is passed to us through our fathers. That is why Jesus’ inception is miraculous. His father was not a man, but God. If we deny that we are born with a sin nature, then why do we need redemption? David stated in Psalm 51 – “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51: 5) We are all born with a disposition to sin. We learn from Romans – “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5: 12)
The writer of Hebrews taught that Jesus was a greater messenger with a greater message than the angels. Jesus’ message was a greater salvation by a greater Savior. Jesus was better than Moses. Jesus offers us a better rest. Jesus’ priesthood was and is greater than the priesthood of the old covenant or Mosaic law. Under the new covenant all believers are priests because all believers can spiritually enter into God’s throne room clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, not their own righteousness dictated by a church leader or organization.
What do you think about Jesus? Are you being taught the truth about Jesus, or lies about Him? I challenge you to go the Bible in order to understand who Jesus is. We learn in John – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.” (John 1: 1-5) Have you been led to believe that Jesus is some one different than who the Bible claims He is? John also wrote – “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14)
Like the Hebrews who this epistle to the Hebrews were written for, have you come all the way to faith in salvation through Jesus Christ alone? Have you been born of His Spirit through faith in Him? Do you have an abiding relationship with Him? If not, I urge you to turn to Him completely today.
