The book of Hebrews presents a rich, profound reflection on the person and work of Jesus Christ. As we explore this letter, we see its emphasis on the superiority of Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the call to persevere in faith despite challenges. The author, whose identity remains somewhat ambiguous, addresses a community of Jewish believers who are struggling with the temptation to revert to the old ways of the law and sacrifices, especially as they face persecution and difficulties. This letter serves as an encouragement to hold fast to the hope they have in Christ, demonstrating that the new covenant in Jesus is far greater than the old covenant.
From the very beginning, the author of Hebrews begins by showing the superiority of Jesus to everything that came before Him. He opens by declaring that in these last days, God has spoken to us through His Son, who is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus is presented not just as a messenger of God, but as God Himself, upholding the universe by His powerful word. This introduction places Jesus at the center of everything and emphasizes His divine nature. The author goes on to show how Jesus is superior to angels, the revered messengers of God. In Psalm 110:1, which is quoted, the Lord says to the Son, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" (Hebrews 1:13). This is not a message about a mere servant of God, but about the ultimate authority of Christ, a theme that resounds throughout the book.
The author of Hebrews then transitions to explain why this truth about Jesus matters deeply to the believers. They are facing hardship, and some of them are tempted to shrink back into the old system of sacrifice and the rituals of the law. But the author makes it clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of all those things. He is the fulfillment of the law, the prophets, and the priesthood. Jesus is superior to Moses, a figure highly revered by the Jewish people. Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house, but Jesus is the Son over God’s house, the one who built the house (Hebrews 3:3-6). This comparison drives home that Christ’s work is not a mere continuation of what came before but a complete fulfillment and surpassing of it.
One of the central ideas of Hebrews is that Jesus is the great High Priest, a concept that might seem distant to us but is crucial in understanding the book’s message. The role of the high priest in the Old Testament was to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. But in Hebrews, the author declares that Jesus is our High Priest, not in the earthly temple, but in the heavenly one. He has entered the true Most Holy Place, offering not the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood, securing eternal redemption for all who believe (Hebrews 9:12). Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the entire sacrificial system, because He is both the Priest and the offering. His work is superior to the priesthood of Aaron, and His sacrifice is the final, all-sufficient one for the forgiveness of sins.
The letter then goes into a lengthy discussion about the new covenant that Jesus has established. The old covenant, the law given to Moses, was always meant to point to something greater. The sacrifices under the old covenant could never take away sins fully; they were a shadow of the good things to come (Hebrews 10:1). But in Jesus, we have the reality of the new covenant. He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified through His one offering (Hebrews 10:14). The law had its purpose, but it could not save, only point to the One who would. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, ushers in the new covenant, where God’s law is written on our hearts, and forgiveness of sins is secured once for all.
Throughout the letter, the author encourages the believers to persevere in their faith. He warns against the danger of falling away and urges them to hold firmly to the hope they have in Christ. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). The temptation to shrink back is real, especially when the road gets hard, but the author urges the believers to draw near to God with full assurance of faith, knowing that Jesus is the perfect mediator between them and God (Hebrews 10:19-22). There is a deep assurance in these words: because of Christ’s finished work, we have the privilege of drawing near to God. This is the very thing Jesus accomplished through His death on the cross, tearing the veil of the temple and opening the way for us to enter the presence of God (Matthew 27:51).
The book of Hebrews also contains some of the most profound reflections on faith. The author points to the heroes of faith in the Old Testament, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses, to show how they lived by faith, even when they did not receive the full promise in their lifetime (Hebrews 11). These figures were looking forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises, which would come through Jesus Christ. The author encourages us to imitate their faith, to press on toward the prize, and to be willing to endure hardship, just as Jesus Himself endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
The closing chapters of Hebrews continue to encourage the believers to live in light of the gospel and to love one another. They are urged to be generous, to be hospitable, and to remember those in prison as if they were suffering alongside them (Hebrews 13:1-3). These practical commands echo Jesus’ own words about loving one another, serving one another, and caring for those in need (Matthew 25:35-40). Love and compassion are essential to living out the gospel, and these virtues are a mark of the transformed life that the author calls believers to embrace.
The letter concludes with a reminder of God’s unshakable kingdom. While the things of this world are temporary and will be shaken, the kingdom of God is eternal and secure. “Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). In Christ, we have an eternal hope, an unshakable foundation, and a secure future, and these truths should shape how we live in the present.
In conclusion, the letter to the Hebrews calls us to recognize the greatness and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. He is superior to everything that came before, and in Him, we have the fulfillment of God’s promises. His work as the great High Priest, His sacrifice, and His establishment of the new covenant give us the assurance of salvation and the confidence to persevere in faith. As we draw near to God through Jesus, we are called to live lives marked by love, faith, and endurance. Just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, we too are called to endure, keeping our eyes fixed on Him and the unshakable hope of His return. May we hold fast to the confession of our hope, living lives that reflect the transformative power of the gospel, knowing that our ultimate hope is in Christ alone.