Hebrews 1:1–4

Explore the Bible 
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

WHO IS JESUS?

Hebrews 1:1–4

Introduction to Hebrews

No New Testament book has had more background research than Hebrews and none has created a greater diversity of opinion. There is, however, broad agreement about several of the most important things. Virtually all agree the theme of the epistle is the supremacy and finality of Christ. There also is consensus about the general recipients of the letter: they were a group of Jewish Christians who had never seen Jesus in person, yet had believed. There also is agreement, first expressed by the church father Origen in the third century, “only God knows certainly” who wrote the letter.

But from here the mystery darkens, for no scholar has yet proven the exact destination or occasion of the letter, though many contemporary scholars propose the letter was written to a small house church of beleaguered Jewish Christians living in or around Rome. They propose the letter was written in the mid-’60s before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Hebrews is a letter written to a church, and the letter was birthed out of concern. The writer wanted to remind the recipients of the letter of the supremacy of Christ. Christ is better. The writer urged these Jewish Christians whose world was falling apart to go all the way with Jesus. Don’t give up on Christ.

God Speaks (1–2a)

The letter arrived and word was sent out. The congregation gathered. All were quiet. The reader began to read these inspired words. Through these magnificent words the beleaguered church was brought face to face with the God who speaks. God spoke in the past by the prophets and He speaks in the present in His Son. God’s assuring message would bring them comfort in the midst of life’s troubles.

God spoke to His people by the prophets with great diversity. Amos gave direct oracles from God. Malachi used questions and answers. Ezekiel performed bizarre symbolic acts. Haggai preached sermons. And Zechariah employed mysterious signs. The significance of this immensely creative and varied communication is that it dramatically demonstrated God’s loving desire to communicate with His people. It was always adequate for the time. It was always progressive, revealing more of God and His ways. It was always in continuity with the previous words of God.

In Christ came the ultimate speech of God. Jesus is God’s final word. The Scripture says: “In these last days He has spoken to us ‘in Son.’” In other words the person of Jesus contains everything. The previous prophets had revealed the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is the perfect embodiment of the Father.

Since God has spoken finally and fully in the Son and since the New Testament fully reports and interprets this supreme revelation once the New Testament is written, the canon of Scripture is complete. No new books are needed to explain what God has done through His Son.

God Revealed (2b–4)

If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. Jesus reveals God through His sevenfold supremacy. First Jesus is Inheritor. He is heir (the one it’s all coming to) to the universe. As Redeemer He bought us and made us His personal inheritance. Second Jesus is Creator. He created the 50 billion galaxies in the universe. Third Jesus is Sustainer. He is sustaining the galloping galaxies as well as the sub-microscopic universe of atoms, all by His spoken word. Fourth Jesus is Radiator. He is the source and radiator of divine glory. He’s not a reflection but the very brightness of God’s glory. He is God. Fifth Jesus is Representor. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father’s being. He is everything God is, yet separate. He is with God. Sixth Jesus is Purifier. He is the cosmic sacrifice who paid for our sins with His blood in order to purify us. Seventh Jesus is Ruler. He sits, having paid for our sins once and for all, as the supreme priest. He is exalted at the right hand of the Majesty on high.