Day One
Scripture: Hebrews 1: 1-14
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”?
Or again,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
In speaking of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.”
But about the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
He also says,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”
To which of the angels did God ever say,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet”?
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Devotional:
The Letter opens up immediately setting the record straight as to who Jesus is. He is neither angel nor prophet. But he is heir of ALL things, God’s son; Co-Creator; the exact representation of God and equal with God And furthermore, his purification of ALL sin, needs no further work because when he was done, he sat down at God’s right hand.
The author seems a bit frustrated with these guys’ misinterpretation of their new faith and of Jesus. Coming across as a defense lawyer, using their own beloved Hebrew scriptures to compare what God Himself says about his son (Ps 84) versus his angels (Ps 110), he asks the rhetorical question: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
This group of Hebrew converts needed to be reminded of who this Jesus was and exactly what he had done. Their religious customs, stemming from their long history and journey with God as his prototype had left them hanging on to the Law. But now something new is challenging these ancient customs and beliefs, leaving these new converts struggling with the transition and oftentimes adhering to both old and new.
So the letter writer is trying to tell them that this is a NEW covenant, a better covenant, the BEST and ultimate covenant!
Question to ponder:
- What from your previous beliefs are you hanging on to that may be an obstacle to your receiving the full gift of God in Christ?
