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Introduction of Hebrews

Neither the author nor the audience of this book is specifically named, but the book itself reveals its nature and purpose. The recipients are Jesus-believing Jews who are in danger of falling away from the faith. They are likely in Italy, since the author passes on greetings to them from those who are from Italy—probably their friends who are traveling elsewhere. The goal of the whole book is to show the superiority of the final realities God has revealed in the new covenant to the temporary ones of the first covenant. Its readers are encouraged to respond to the threat of persecution by recommitting to the new reality brought by Jesus.

The book alternates between teachings—reviews of Israel’s history or the temple worship arrangements—and challenges based on these teachings. There are four teaching-challenge pairs:

1. Jesus and the salvation he brings are greater than the angels and the salvation they announced (the Law of Moses).
2. Jesus is our “apostle” (someone sent by God on a specific mission), and he brings us into a greater rest and Promised Land than Moses and Joshua brought Israel into.
3. Jesus is a more effective high priest than the priests appointed by the Law of Moses.
4. As God’s faithful people have done throughout the ages, we must continue living in light of God’s unseen heavenly realities and stepping out in faith. Through the Messiah we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

www.bible.com/zh-TW/bible/111/HEB.INTRO1.NIV

Hebrews Chapter 1 (ESV)

¹ Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ³ He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?

Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?

⁶ And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

⁷ Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

⁸ But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

¹⁰ And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; ¹¹ they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, ¹² like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

¹³ And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

REFLECTION:

1. Chapter at a Glance: The author makes a vital point that we can trust the Old Testament, for God spoke to man through the prophets of old. But we can trust the New Testament even more, for the agent of that revelation was God the Son! God did not merely speak to us through men, He became a man, and spoke to us directly. The author drew on the Old Testament to show that Jesus the Son is superior to angels in His nature and in His mission.
2. Everything of Christianity hinges on Jesus. The author of Hebrews tells us clearly and unmistakably who Jesus is. Jesus, the Son, is the “heir of all things”, the visible expression (the radiance) of God’s glory, an exact imprint of God’s nature. Jesus, the Son, upholds the universe, while His word alone enables it to exist. Jesus, the Son, having dealt decisively with the problem of sin, sat down at the right hand of God, the place of power and authority.
3. Spend time meditating on the passage. How incredible it is that Jesus is to be like a mirror to reflect God’s image to the world!  Then consider the monumental act of holding everything together. He is indeed the backbone of human history!  Is your knowledge of God different from what is described here?
4. Ask God for the courage and guidance to help you mirror Jesus to the world, reflecting Him as you go about every day. Consider how you might reflect Jesus today – and do it.

PRAYER:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.

HYMN:

More Like Jesus – youtu.be/chbMVsgGbgs