Christ Is Better, 2

~ Consider Hebrews 1-2 ~

A key word of the Epistle to the Hebrews is the term “better.” It occurs at least twelve times (1:4; 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24).  We find the same word translated in 1 Corinthians 12:31 as “best” where we read, “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.”

Christ is in fact better than the best, as found in the book of Hebrews. Here are some reasons He is best from the first two chapters of Hebrews.  

He Is The Son of God and God The Son (He is God speaking to man)  ~  “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (1:1-2a).  

He Is The Heir of All Things (He occupies a unique position)  ~  “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (1:1-2). 

He Is The Creator (He has all power / He is omnipotent)  ~  “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (1:1-2).

He Is The Brightness of God’s Glory (He is beautiful)  ~  “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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (1:3). Christ is better in His glory. The prophets were but men whereas Christ is the brightness of God’s glory. He is the personification of God’s person—God’s character. The image of God in Him is not blurred by sin.

He Is The Sustainer of All Things (He has all power / He is omnipotent)  ~  “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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (1:3). Christ is better in His power.  The prophets were upheld by God’s power. Jesus Christ is God and upholds all things by His power.

He Is Better in His Work (He provides salvation) ~  “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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (1:3). Christ is better in His glory. The prophets were but men whereas Christ is the brightness of God’s glory. He is the personification of God’s person—God’s character. The image of God in Him is not blurred by sin.  Christ is better in His work.  The prophets could not cleanse from sin, but He could. 

He Is The Perfect Sacrifice (He cleanses our sins)  ~  “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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (1:3).  

He Is The Exalted One, at the Right Hand of God (He is honored)  ~  “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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (1:3, also see Revelation 5). Christ is better in His rightful place. He is seated at the right hand of God whereas the prophets could only occupy the servant’s place. – 1:3

He Is Better Than The Angels (His name is above all names)  ~  “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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (1:3-4). “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

He Is The Delight of the Father (He was totally obedient) ~  “For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?’” (1:5). “…For the Lord delights in you…” (Isaiah 62:4).

He Is The Righteous King (He rules with absolute righteousness)  ~  “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom” (1:8).   

He Is The One Above His Fellows (He is preeminent)  ~  “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (1:9).  

He Is Unchanging One – (He is immutable)  ~  “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail” (1:10-12).  

He Is Better Even In His Humiliation (He obeyed the will of His Father)  ~  “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (2:9).   

He Is Better in Grace and In Death (He suffered for us) ~  “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (2:9).

He Is The end of Which All Things Converge (He is the Omega) ~  “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (2:10).  

He Is The Source of All Things (He is the Alpha) ~  “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (2:10). “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3).

He Is The Captain of Salvation (He endured for our sakes)  ~  “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (2:10).

He Is The Sanctifier (He is holy)  ~  “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (2:11).  

He Is A Brother Among His Brethren (He identifies Himself with us)  ~  “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (2:11).

He Is The Leader (He leads us in praise)  ~  “Saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You’” (2:12).  

He Is The Kinsman, The Redeemer (He provides redemption and is our avenger)  ~  “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (2:14). 

He Is The Deliver (He emancipates us)  ~  “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (2:14-15).  

He Is The Merciful and Faithful High Priest (He represents us)  ~  “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (2:17). “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1).

He Is The Reconciler (He made atonement for our sins)  ~  “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (2:17).

He Is The tried One (He sympathizes and encourages us)  ~  “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (2:18).   

summary:  Jesus Christ is better than the Best—He is the ultimate in every way.

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW