Looking Unto Jesus in the Book of Hebrews

1. The Superiority of Christ

Scriptural Support:

• Hebrews 1:1-4: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."

  Jesus is shown as superior to angels and prophets, being the radiance of God's glory. The chapter emphasizes His divine sonship and eternal authority, revealing that He is the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation.

• Hebrews 3:3-4: "For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God."

  The text compares Jesus to Moses, emphasizing His superiority as the Son over God’s house.

2. Jesus, the Perfect High Priest

Scriptural Support:

• Hebrews 5:5-6: "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

  Jesus is shown as a high priest appointed by God, distinct from the Levitical order, and in the eternal order of Melchizedek, signifying the ultimate and unending nature of His priesthood.

• Hebrews 7:24-27: "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."

  Christ’s priesthood surpasses the old system by being eternal and complete. His one sacrifice is sufficient for all time, removing the need for continual offerings.

3. Faith and Endurance

Scriptural Support:

• Hebrews 11:1-3: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

  Faith is defined as trust in the unseen, and examples of Old Testament figures who lived by faith are offered throughout the chapter, from Abel to Abraham, emphasizing that faith is foundational for living a life pleasing to God.

• Hebrews 12:1-2: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

  The focus is on Jesus, the "author and finisher" of faith, encouraging believers to persevere in their spiritual race, inspired by the example of Christ and the great cloud of witnesses.

4. Warning Against Falling Away

Scriptural Support:

• Hebrews 2:1-3: "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him."

  The author warns against spiritual neglect, emphasizing the grave consequences of disregarding the message of salvation through Christ.

• Hebrews 10:26-27: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."

  There is a serious admonition against deliberate sin after coming to the knowledge of Christ, stressing the importance of living faithfully.

5. God’s Loving Discipline

Scriptural Support:

• Hebrews 12:5-7: "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"

  God’s discipline is portrayed as an act of love, meant to refine and shape believers. Through discipline, He molds His children into holiness and righteousness.

This study highlights essential teachings from Hebrews, centered on the superiority of Christ and the call for faithful endurance. Each passage encourages believers to maintain their faith, embrace Christ’s high priestly ministry, and recognize God's love in His discipline.

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