Jesus is Better Than...

Yesterday I began teaching and leading a discussion through the book of Hebrews. What a joy!

Hebrews is so rich and full of depth and meaning. I feel like a novice as I approach the truths of this book. It is intimidating, but in a good sense if that is possible. I tremble (literally) as I look through the pages of the book.

In looking through Hebrews, we see the author (whoever it was) strongly encourage and exhort his mostly Jewish listeners to not abandon the faith during the increasing persecution they are facing. The reason he gives for not turning from Christ? It is simple and profound: Jesus is better than anything and everything else.

Jesus is better than angels, better than Moses, provides a better rest, has a better priesthood, offers a better priestly ministry, offers a better covenant, offers a better sanctuary, is a better sacrifice, gives better privileges, and even expects better lifestyles of His followers.

As he writes this book, the writer alternates between telling why Jesus is better and appealing to remain with the faith. He uses this pattern throughout the letter.

The part that is fascinating to me us this: we read about Jesus being better than other things that are already very good things. It's not as if Jesus is simply better than pagan religions, adultery, hatred, malice, strife, sorcery, etc. We are told that Jesus is better than a long list of things that are very good. Angels, for example, are very good. Moses was a great prophet and leader. The OT covenant and sacrifices were good things.

Jesus, however, far surpasses them all in His supreme value. We see this at the beginning of the book. In Hebrews 1:1-4, we learn a great deal about this amazing Son of God, who purged our sins, and yet now sits in the position of honor at God's right hand:

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."

I look forward to our journey through this wonderful look at the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things.