| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Hebrews Overall
BETTER.
The key word of
the Epistle to the Hebrews is the term “ Better.” It occurs no less than
thirteen times (1:4; 6:9;
7:7,19,22; 8:6; 9:23;
10:34; 11:16,35,40; 12:24). The word is rendered “ Best” in 1.Cor.12:31, and, as it will be seen, it means that which is of
greater power and effect. It will be noticed that prophets, angels and men are
placed in contrast with Christ, and as the stars pale in the presence of the
sun, so all these are eclipsed by Him.
Ⅰ. Christ is better than the
prophets because He is The Prophet.
A. Christ is better in His utterance,
because He is the Living Word of God, and God the Word (1:2).
B. Christ is better in His relation to God.
He is the Son of God, God the Son, and “ Heir of all things” (1:2).
C. Christ is better in His person. The
prophets were creatures. Christ is Creator: “He made the worlds” (1:2).
D. Christ is better in His glory. The
prophets were but men; Christ is “ The brightness of God’s glory” (1:3).
E. Christ is better in His likeness to God.
He is the “ express image,” ＆c. The
image of God in Him is not blurred by sin (1:3).
F. Christ is better in His power. The
prophets were upheld: He upholds (1:3)
G. Christ is better in His work (1:3). The prophets could not take away their own sins,
leave alone others, but He could take away the sins of others.
H. Christ is better in His place (1:3). He is seated at the right hand of God: the prophets
could only occupy the servant’s place.
Ⅱ. Christ is better than the angels.
A. Christ is better because He is the Son,
and they are servants(1:5).
B. Because He is the Object of the angels’
worship, and they are the worshippers (1:6).
C. Because He is rules, and they are ruled
(1:7,8).
D. Because He is on the throne to reign,
and they are before the throne to serve (1:8.14).
Ⅲ. Christ is better than the best, if we
think who He is.
He is the Son
of God: God the Son to accomplish (1:2).
The Heir of all
things, to occupy (1:2).
The Creator,
with Almighty power (1:2).
The Brightness
of God’s glory in beauty (1:3).
The Personification
of God’s Person in character(1:3).
The Sustainer
of all things in power(1:3).
The Sacrifice
to purge away sins (1:3).
The Exalted One
at the right hand of God in honour (1:3).
The Object of
angels’ worship (1:5).
The Delight of
the Father (1:4).
The Righteous
King in rule (1:8)
The One above
His fellows in eminence (1:9).
Unchanging One
in immutability (1:10-12).
Jesus in
humiliation (2:9)
Grace in death
(2:9).
The End to
which all things converge (2:10).
The Source of
all things (2:10).
The Captain of
Salvation in endurance (2:10).
The Sanctifier
in holiness (2:11).
The Brother
among His brethren in adversity (2:11.)
The Leader in
praise (2:12).
The Kinsman in
redemption (2:14).
The Redeemer in
avenging (2:14).
The Deliverer
in emancipation (2:15).
The Merciful
and Faithful High Priest to represent (2:17).
The Reconciler
in atonement (2:17).
The Tried One
in sympathy and succour (2:18).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
JESUS.
The Name of Jesus in the
Epistle to the Hebrews.
Ⅰ.
As Son of Man. “ But we see fesus, who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death” ( Heb.2:9).
Ⅱ.
As our High Priest. “ We have a great High Priest, who is passed into the
heavens, fesus, the Son of God” (Heb.4:14, and 6:20).
Ⅲ.
As our Surety. “ By so much was Jesus made a Surety of a better testament”
(Heb. 7:22).
Ⅳ.
As the Way into the holiest. “ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb.10:19).
Ⅴ.
As the Author of faith. “ Looking unto fesus, the Author and Finisher of our
faith” (Heb.12:2).
Ⅵ.
As our Mediator. “ And of fesus the Mediator of the new covenant” (Heb.12:24).
Ⅶ.
As our Sanctifier. “ Wherefore fesus also, that He might sanctify the people
with His own blood, suffered , suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》