Proper 22
After Pentecost • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Hebrews 1:1–4, 2:5–12
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. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Hebrews 2:5–12 (NIV)
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
You made them a little lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
and put everything under their feet.”
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
Sermon
Sermon
This may very well be the shortest sermon I’ve every preached. Or at least it has the potential. It can be summed up in one line. Are you ready? No matter what you face, no matter what you are up against, no matter the struggles or challenges that come your way, Christ is greater. This morning we begin a series looking at the book of Hebrews and one theme that will be heard over and over again is the supremacy of Jesus Christ. No matter what you face, Christ is greater.
As the writer to the Hebrews begins, and we don’t know who he or even she might be. The writer reminds his audience that when God had spoken to their ancestors, He had done so through the prophets. And he says, God did this many times in various ways. A quick survey of the Old Testament demonstrates this truth. We see prophets like Elijah and Elisha. Daniel and Joel. Amos, Obadiah, Isaiah and Jeremiah, Hosea, Habakkuk, and even Jonah. To name just a few.
But it has been suggested the writer to the Hebrews is including all of the Old Testament individuals who received a message from God. There are others in our Bible who were not “called” prophets but whose lives reflect God’s handiwork. Moses and Abraham, and Noah, and on and on.
“But”, the writer continues, “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son”. The message hasn’t changed but the method has. Understand that through these individuals, formally prophets or not, God’s revelation was of His love for His creation, His children.
There is no greater method of sharing His message than in speaking through Jesus Christ, His Son. What people may not have fully understood in the words or the message of these individuals is made crystal clear in the life of His Son.
And the writer gives us some reasons why Christ is the best revelation of the message of God’s love.
heir of all things - even though Christ lived over 2000 years ago, He will in the end receive all things.
and through whom also he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and
the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word.
After he had provided purification for sins,
