We don’t know who wrote Hebrews, but whoever he was (and by the form of the words in 11:32, it was a he) he had a strong mastery of three things: (1) the Greek language, (2) the Old Testament, and (3) the ability to point to Jesus using the Old Testament. (Suggested authors include: Paul, Luke, Barnabas, and Apollos.)
Jumping right in, the author says, “In many and various ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but not in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son.” God has been reaching out to people ever since the beginning. With Adam and Eve he spoke as they walked in the Garden. Moses met God on the Mountain and in the tent. Prophets heard the voice of God and saw amazing visions which they then shared with kings and commoners by letters, speeches, parables and actions. Consistently, they declared, “Thus saith the Lord!”
But in God’s desire to communicate with people and draw us back to Himself, it was not enough to speak through godly men and women who were filled with the Holy Spirit. When the time was right, in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus of Nazareth. As the Apostle John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus, the Son of God and Second Person of the Trinity, is God’s Word and He speaks not as the prophets did, but with authority. This is one of the reasons people marveled at him, debated about him and were offended by him. As the Pharisees asked on more than one occasion, “Who is this who even forgives sins? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Nor would it have been sufficient to send an angel to bear this message. God sent angels, which literally means, “messengers,” to people at various times, most famously to people around the time of Jesus’ birth – to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds. But the message God was about to send was so great that, even as impressive as an angel would be, it was too important. God chose to bear this message Himself.
These were ministering spirits who were sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. In verse 14, the word we translate ministering has religious connotations to it. It’s the word we get our word, “liturgy,” from. These messengers were delivering God’s message and drawing us into worship through a right relationship with Him. The word we translate, “to serve,” is the root of our word, “deacon,” a leader and servant within the church. Whether angel or prophet (or pastor) these are all servants given by God to declare the message of God’s love and grace; His Law and Gospel to draw people back to Himself. Jesus came, not only to declare that message, but to be that message. God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself, through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus not only declares the message, He makes the way for us to come back to God, and therefore He is the message.
Michael Card refers to Jesus as God’s final perfect Word. “He spoke the Incarnation, and so was born the Son. His final Word was Jesus, He needed no other one. Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way divine, and so was born the Baby who would die to make it (God’s love) mine.”
Lord Jesus, give me Your Spirit so that I can hear your message and believe it. Help me to see You as You are; God, Man, Son, and Sacrifice for my sin. Amen.
Jumping right in, the author says, “In many and various ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but not in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son.” God has been reaching out to people ever since the beginning. With Adam and Eve he spoke as they walked in the Garden. Moses met God on the Mountain and in the tent. Prophets heard the voice of God and saw amazing visions which they then shared with kings and commoners by letters, speeches, parables and actions. Consistently, they declared, “Thus saith the Lord!”
But in God’s desire to communicate with people and draw us back to Himself, it was not enough to speak through godly men and women who were filled with the Holy Spirit. When the time was right, in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus of Nazareth. As the Apostle John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus, the Son of God and Second Person of the Trinity, is God’s Word and He speaks not as the prophets did, but with authority. This is one of the reasons people marveled at him, debated about him and were offended by him. As the Pharisees asked on more than one occasion, “Who is this who even forgives sins? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Nor would it have been sufficient to send an angel to bear this message. God sent angels, which literally means, “messengers,” to people at various times, most famously to people around the time of Jesus’ birth – to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds. But the message God was about to send was so great that, even as impressive as an angel would be, it was too important. God chose to bear this message Himself.
These were ministering spirits who were sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. In verse 14, the word we translate ministering has religious connotations to it. It’s the word we get our word, “liturgy,” from. These messengers were delivering God’s message and drawing us into worship through a right relationship with Him. The word we translate, “to serve,” is the root of our word, “deacon,” a leader and servant within the church. Whether angel or prophet (or pastor) these are all servants given by God to declare the message of God’s love and grace; His Law and Gospel to draw people back to Himself. Jesus came, not only to declare that message, but to be that message. God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself, through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus not only declares the message, He makes the way for us to come back to God, and therefore He is the message.
Michael Card refers to Jesus as God’s final perfect Word. “He spoke the Incarnation, and so was born the Son. His final Word was Jesus, He needed no other one. Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way divine, and so was born the Baby who would die to make it (God’s love) mine.”
Lord Jesus, give me Your Spirit so that I can hear your message and believe it. Help me to see You as You are; God, Man, Son, and Sacrifice for my sin. Amen.
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