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"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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."
(Hebrews 1:1-2)
I am spending the entirety of 2024 studying the book of Hebrews. When I read the Bible, I typically read through one book at a time, studying it thoroughly so I can read it in its context and read the Bible as it was written: a series of books, not a series of stand-alone verses. Typically, I just move from studying one book to another. However, this year I wanted to go much deeper in just one book. One of the greatest and easiest tools that we can utilize to understand Scripture is repetition! When we read something repeatedly, we begin to understand it more and more, and we are able to better place each truth and point and story within its grander context. We are able to notice connections more effectively and identify themes. Therefore, I wanted to spend a whole year dedicated to just reading and studying one book. Of course, I am reading and hearing from other books of the Bible as they are preached in church and discussed in my home group. My husband and I typically read a Psalm every night before we go to sleep as well. But as far as my personal time studying the Scriptures and convening with the Lord goes, it's in Hebrews.
One theme that doesn't take long to notice in Hebrews is how Jesus is greater! Greater than what? Greater than who? Well, the book of Hebrews offers many answers to these questions. This week, we will consider five of the comparisons made in the book of Hebrews concerning how Jesus is greater and better than all others.
In the first two verses of Hebrews, we already find our first example. Jesus is greater than the prophets. In our verses for today, as you can read above, God used to speak to His people through the prophets. We see this throughout the majority of the Old Testament as God sends prophet after prophet to speak to the people concerning God's will for them, to encourage them to be faithful and to repent of their sins. However, now God has spoken to us through Jesus. God isn't sending prophets anymore. He has done something better. He sent us His Son. So, this begs the question: why is this better? Why is this greater?
The prophets were God's servants. Jesus is God's Son. The prophets spoke as God's messengers. They received messages from God and relayed them to the people. When Jesus speaks, however, it is directly from the source.
The prophets were created. Jesus is the Creator. The world was created through Jesus. The prophets, however, were mere men.
The prophets were pointing to Jesus the whole time. The prophets' mission points us to a coming Messiah who reveals God's perfect will and nature to the world. The prophets as men were not perfect. Jesus, however, is. Furthermore, many prophets were persecuted and killed for their mission. However, their deaths, though admirable, were insufficient to save anyone. Jesus, the greater Prophet, comes to not only speak on behalf of the Father, and is killed for it, but He takes on God's wrath towards sin and buys salvation for all who believe.
We don't have to wait for the next prophet to come speak to us. Jesus has revealed God's perfect will to us and has displayed God's character to us. He has died for us, and only He can save us. He is all we need. Don't go looking for a new prophet to speak to you the words of God. Open your Bible today and behold Jesus: the Word made flesh.
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