In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 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. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Most of the writers of the New Testament were Jews. Over a time period of many centuries, the Jews had learned a painfully hard way that God was dead set against idolatry. He did not want them to have any gods before Him. But they often did have, and they paid a dreadfully high price for their love affairs with idols. By the first century AD, with knuckles sore from many a Divine reprimand, it seemed they had learned their lesson: no gods before the only God Most High! That was non-negotiable. How startling it is, then, to read words written by Jewish men, such as those in verses 2,3, about a Jewish Man called Jesus. It’s a staggering claim. These are outrageous words – if they are not true. But these, and similar words, were written about Jesus within just a few decades of His historical life. They represent what the early church really believed about Him.

A key idea in Hebrews is that Jesus is better (or greater) than anyone or anything in the Old Testament religion. ‘So why would you return to it?’ That’s the challenge posed to these Jewish believers. In the opening few verses the inference clearly is that Jesus is greater than all their (rightly) revered prophets.

I love the comment of the great Victorian preacher, Spurgeon:

“Other men had the threads of truth; but Christ took the threads, and wove them into a glorious robe, put it on, and came forth clothed with every truth of God.”

Prayer: Lord, please reveal to me more and more of the greatness and glory of Jesus