Worship Opportunities

In the last month or so I seem to keep finding myself in the book of Hebrews as it was not only in my personal reading plan but is also what I’m studying with a group of women from my church this school year. Even when I went to a [fAnTaStIc] women’s conference several weekends ago, the book of Hebrews seemed to follow me (or lead me??), and some of the swirling thoughts I’ve been having were touched on in the teaching sessions. 

Because of this and other reasons, I decided I’d challenge myself to examine one doctrine from each chapter(ish), see how it applied to the original audience, and consider how it is still relevant to us today, centuries later.

What we believe influences how we endure. 

Entire books are written about some of the topics, so I’m not going to exhaust the evidence for and applications of each doctrine in a blog post. These are just snippets of things I’m learning along the way. 

Hebrews is a sermon-like letter with an unknown author, and it’s written to encourage discouraged Christians (most likely Jewish Christians) to persevere in the midst of persecution and hardship (10:32-34). They were tempted to drift, to turn back to the good and God-given old covenant system, but the author reminds them that these things were ultimately a foreshadowing of the better One who had now come. (8:5, 10:1)

Chapter 1 Doctrine: The Deity of Christ

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 

It’s amazing how genetics can create nearly a carbon copy of a parent to a child. If you have seen my husband, in a lineup of 50 men, you will know exactly who his father is. Add a couple of decades to his appearance and a little (only a little) more grey hair, and my husband is almost an exact replica of his father. From appearance right down to jokes and mannerisms, I can see my husband’s future self by looking at my father-in-law.

As much as my husband and his father are alike, they don’t compare to this picture that we see of Jesus in Hebrews 1:3. He is the exact expression of the Father’s nature because He shares the very nature of God! 

Look at the evidence this verse gives: 

Christ is the RADIANCE of the Father (do you feel like drawing a yellow colored pencil sunshine over this word?! I do! And I have!)

Christ is the EXACT EXPRESSION of His nature

Christ is the SUSTAINER of all things by His powerful word

Christ is the PURIFIER of sins

Christ is SEATED at the right hand of the Majesty on high

Why does this matter to these Christians? 

Clearly the author wanted to give his audience the reminder of Christ’s supremacy above ALL things, including prophets (1:1-4), angels (chapters 1 and 2), Moses (chapter 3), and promised rest (chapter 4). And He’s the “better” of so much more (better covenant, better sacrifice, better high priest…). In the face of persecution (much of which I cannot begin to relate to personally), they needed the reminder that these were good and God-given, but ultimately they were pointing ahead toward Christ. 

Do you remember learning math inequalities back in elementary school? Greater than >, less than <, and equal to = ?  [Embarrassing confession: I don’t think I actually understood which direction to point the “alligator mouth” until I was teaching it to my children! How in the world did I do well in school?!] 

The author of Hebrews reminds his hearers of this vital inequality: Christ is far greater in position, accomplishment, and even His posture as seated shows His sacrifice was sufficient and complete. He is God! (The alligator mouth will always open up toward Him!) Because of this truth, he urges them to pay close attention so they won’t drift away from the faith as they undergo trials (2:1). Nothing is worth the drift!

We can all use this reminder, right?! Maybe we’d fill in those blanks with other things we value or even important things, but the truth still rings loud and clear: Christ is superior!

What difference does Christ’s deity make for us today?

1. Because Christ is God, He is the only perfect and final sacrifice for sins. While high priests of the Old Testament “stood day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices…” (Heb. 10:11), Christ is seated (Heb. 1:3). The work is finished. There is no other sacrifice that could accomplish this reconciliation. My works, efforts, and sacrifices to be “good enough” could never make a pure-enough Kate to bridge the chasm my sin creates. 

2. Because Christ is God, He is worthy of worship! (And other things are not!) Who or what am I tempted to give my closest attention and devotion? Comfort? Human approval? Control? (Those are probably my top three competitors!) Even good things can sometimes creep into the “superior” category of my heart, every day. 

3. Because Christ is God and sustains all things with His powerful word, I can trust what He allows even when life unfolds in unpleasant ways I didn’t expect. I can use my words in many positive, life-giving ways. My words can encourage, counsel, teach, and serve many helpful purposes, but sustain all things? Definitely not in my realm of abilities! I’m not the sustainer of all things. Christ is.

The deity of Christ is a doctrine that reminds me of His superiority. He’s worth my careful, close attention (2:1) because when I’m looking at Him, I’m less likely to look to what’s inferior.