The primary objectives of these studies are a) to get you to read the Bible and b) to take in what you have read. At the end of each page of studies (normally a chapter) there will be a 'Recap' to remind you of what you have read. At the end of every 'set' (see the front Contents page) there will also be a 'Summary' and a 'Conclusions' that cover the pages in that set.

INTRODUCTION to Hebrews

What is Hebrews?

Many commentators have discussed is this a letter or is it a sermon? In that it hasn't an introduction or an ending to and from people specifically, it isn't like a letter. In that it comes over like a carefully reason argument, it is more like a sermon.

Why was it written?

Because the aim of the book is not specifically given, we have to look at the content to assess that. In the New Testament, Hebrews is uniquely Jewish (hence the name). It is clearly to Christians, but specifically to Jewish Christians. It is filled with teaching about how Jesus is so much greater than anyone or anything known in the Old Testament era, and has many exhortations and warnings against going back to the old ways. Remember most of the early Christians were Jewish.

Why should gentile Christians read it? Because it is packed with insights and understanding, that reveal Jesus so gloriously, that we must surely be moved by the wonder of it. The writer is not identified in it, so we will not speculate here.

The Structure of these Studies

We will divide this set of studies as follows:

• Ch.1 & 2 Greater than Angels

• Ch.3 & 4 Greater than Moses

• Ch.5 & 6 Jesus, a new type of Priest

• Ch.7 & 8 A Greater Priesthood

The titles of each Part give us clear indication of what the writer is saying about Jesus.

PART ONE : Greater than Angels

In these first two chapters we will see the writer starting out with an amazingly compact description of Jesus, followed by an argument based entirely on Scripture that Jesus was not just another angelic visitation (as was seen many times in the Old Testament), but was in fact the very Son of God himself come down from heaven.

For this reason he then exhorts his readers to be careful not to drift away from the truths they had received in the Gospel. No, Jesus the Son, came from heaven to live in the flesh. Hold that truth.

Chapter: Hebrews 1

Passage: Hebrews 1:1-4

A. Find Out:

1. How had God first spoken? v.1

2. But how has He now spoken? v.2a

3. What two descriptions are then given? v.2b,c

4. What two further descriptions are then given? v.3a

5. What 3 actions are then given? v.3b,c

6. So what does that make him? v.4

B. Think:

1. How many descriptions are given here of who Jesus is?

2. How many descriptions are given of what he does and has done?

3. What is the point the writer is making?

C. Comment:

Next to John 1, this is probably the most dynamic opening to any book in the Bible. These four verses are packed full of information. The AIM of the writer is surely to show that Jesus is greater than any other being in Creation, especially angels. What does it say about him? These verses are shorthand notes about Jesus. They say an incredible amount about him in few words.

First, like John 1, it is all about communication. Jesus is God's communication to us. Jesus came to communicate the very nature of God to us, not only by his words but by his very being. God didn't give us just rules or directions, He gave us a person to follow. Next comes the qualification of Jesus to communicate this, the reason why Jesus can speak to us, over and above the fact that he is God's Son.

Before God made anything, He decreed that Jesus would be the recipient of it all, i.e. He made it all for Jesus. Then hand in hand, Father and Son made all of Creation together (see also Proverbs 8:22-31). Now Jesus actually upholds or keeps the world going, he rules over it.

But if you think the Son is less than the Father, read again. He is the radiance or expression of the Father to us, the exact representation or perfect expression of the Father to us. In that there is unity and diversity. He exactly represents his Father yet he is distinct from his Father. Here is a mystery.

Then comes what Jesus has done through the Cross: he made purification for sins, or died to take the punishment for our sins and to remove them. Now he sits at his Father's right hand ruling. Yes, there can be no other being to compare with the glory of the Son. If you are not sure about these truths, go back over these verses, carefully taking in what they say. Meditate on them. They are vital to Christian belief.

D. Application:

1. Jesus is all glorious, worship Him!

2. No other “religious leader” can compare with Jesus!

Chapter: Hebrews 1

Passage: Hebrews 1:5-9

A. Find Out:

1. What relationship did angels NOT have? v.5

2. Read also Psa 2:7 and 2 Sam 7:14 What is the emphasis?

3. What was the response of angels to Jesus? v.6

4. What was said about the nature and duration of Jesus' rule? v.8

5. What did he love and hate? v.9a

6. So what did God do for him? v.9b (Read also Psa 45:6,7)

B. Think:

1. What is the overriding point being made here?

2. How is the point being made?

3. Why do you think the point is being made?

C. Comment:

In verse 4 the writer had compared Jesus to angels, saying how much more superior Jesus was to the angels, and now he continues that theme. Why? Perhaps there were people who were downgrading who Jesus was, saying he was just another messenger from God. In this passage the writer uses the designation “Son” a number of times, never even mentioning “Jesus” or “Christ”. His emphasis is clearly that this is an expression OF God Himself in human form.

First he quotes from Psalm 2, the first of those messianic psalms that Jews believed spoke about the coming Messiah or Christ. Then from the prophecy to David which again spoke of the Messiah, each time emphasising Sonship.

Then he makes reference to the role of angels: to worship the Son (see Rev 5:11,12) and to act as messengers or servants.

Finally he moves on to the messianic Psalm 45 and emphasises his role as a ruler set apart by God his Father. In every way the Son is shown to be distinct and different and so much superior to angels. He is, in his very being, God and His activity is unique and so much superior to that of angels. This Son is close to, and one with the Father, and is a ruler who is worthy of our worship. He is incomparable.

D. Application:

1. Scripture confirms Scripture and it all speaks of Jesus.

2. Jesus, the Son, part of the Godhead, designated by the Father as Son to

fulfil a special and unique purpose, worthy of our worship.

Chapter: Hebrews 1

Passage: Hebrews 1:10-14

A. Find Out:

1. What had God done in the beginning? v.10

2. Yet what will happen to them? v.11, 12a

3. But how does God differ? v.11a, 12b

4. Where had God NOT made angels to sit? v.13

5. So what are angels? v.14a

6. So what do they do? v.14b

B. Think:

1. In what role is the Lord next seen here?

2. What particular characteristic of His is commented upon?

3. Read Psalm 110:1,2 How does this reveal the Christ?

C. Comment:

The writer's point in this passage is that God who is Creator is greater than all He has created, He is eternal, without beginning or end. He cites the Greek version of Psalm 102:25-27 and clearly intends it to refer to the Son, even as he referred to Him in His role as co-creator in verse 2, for this whole chapter is to extol the Son and lift Him higher than any created beings.

He continues this comparison with angels, in verse 13 citing from the Messianic Psalm 110, where again we have a glimpse of the Son being a ruler at His Father's side.

Within that we see the Son is there:

a) to deal with His Father's enemies,

b) He will continue to rule until He has put them under His feet and therefore

c) it is implied that that WILL happen, for so it is decreed.

Hence today He is ruling in the midst of enemies (Psa 110:2), ruling and bringing about God's will and purposes while they carry on their evil and ungodly business.

Finally we see angels described as a) spirit beings who b) are sent to serve or help Christians. As wonderful as they are they are not the cause of our salvation, Jesus is. Altogether Jesus is creator of this world, it's ruler and its redeemer!

D. Application:

1. Never let us think of Jesus as a mere man, for manhood was simply the

clothing he put on to live in our midst.

2. For all these reasons He is worthy of our worship.

Chapter: Hebrews 2

Passage: Hebrews 2:1-4

A. Find Out:

1. To what must we pay attention? v.1a

2. Why? v.1b

3. How had God's message come & with what consequence? v.2

4. What is his warning? v.3a

5. How had the message come? v.3b

6. How had God confirmed it? v.4

B. Think:

1. What is the heart of the writer's argument here?

2. What danger was he addressing?

3. Why do you think we may fall prey to that danger?

C. Comment:

In chapter 1 the writer has been showing how Jesus is so much greater than any angelic being. Now he applies that and gives us a reason why it is so important. Look, he says, in Old Testament times God's word often used to come via angelic messengers and God required obedience in response to that word. How much more then, says the writer, should we pay attention to the Gospel delivered to us by the Son himself.

Again the writer displays a pastoral concern for these Christians scattered around the world, for he knows how easy it is to drift away and forget the wonder of the Gospel we have received. Paul had chided the Galatians for the way they had drifted from it and the writer brings us this warning, to overcome the tendency that is so easily there.

Look, he says, this Gospel came first through Jesus and was then passed on by his close followers, and if you had any doubt about the Gospel may I remind you that God Himself confirmed it with many signs, wonders and miracles and gifts of His Spirit, both through Jesus and his followers. This message is not to be taken lightly!

D. Application:

1. In the midst of modern life we must hold tightly to the precious and

most wonderful message that has been conveyed to us.

2. This message is completely trustworthy. Look at its background!

Chapter: Hebrews 2

Passage: Hebrews 2:5-9

A. Find Out:

1. What hasn't God done for angels? v.5

2. How did God make man? v.7a

3. Yet what position did he give man? v.7b,8a

4. Yet what hasn't happened yet? v.8b

5. But how was Jesus made and where is he now? v.9a

6. How has he achieved that? v.9b

B. Think:

1. How does man's present state differ from his destiny?

2. How was Jesus first of all similar to man?

3. Yet how is he now different and why?

C. Comment:

This passage appears to have a sense of ambiguity within it. First of all the writer seems to be writing about mankind but then moves to a position where he is referring to Jesus and it is difficult to see which is which.

He starts by a startling inference. Whereas he was previously comparing the Son to angels, he now infers that the world yet to come is to be under the complete rule of the Son (and not angels). He then picks up the thought of rule and dominion. Scripture speaks (in Psalm 8) of man as having been created as beings lessor in glory than angels yet greater in that they have been created to rule over the world (see Genesis 1:28). However, because of sin, man is not holding that position of rulership at the present, but that IS his destiny!

Then we come to the ambiguity in verse 8. Does this apply to Jesus? There is a sense yes, for at the present not every knee bows before him (see Philippians 2:10,11 for what will be), but in a sense no, for he is ruling at His Father's right hand in heaven. He was made into human form, a little lower in the scale than angels, but has acquired by his obedience to the divine plan a much higher place than any angel. He now reigns in glory in heaven and is worthy of all praise.

D. Application:

1. Jesus took on human form and humility, becoming like us.

2. Jesus passed through death and now reigns in glory. Worship Him.

Chapter: Hebrews 2

Passage: Hebrews 2:10-13

A. Find Out:

1. What has God done? v.10a

2. How is God described? v.10b

3. What has He done in respect of Jesus? v.10c

4. Who are of the same family? v.11

5. What does Jesus call us? v.11c,12

6. How are we described? v.13

B. Think:

1. What point was the writer making previously? (v.9)

2. So what point does he continue to make here?

3. What was the result of his activity?

C. Comment:

Jesus is crowned with glory and honour because he died for us. That was what the writer had been saying. He now extends the thought: not only did Jesus go to glory, he has made it possible for us to also go to glory, and he did that through his suffering on the Cross.

Jesus is called the “author of our salvation” because he made it possible, he brought it into being. But in doing that he himself was made perfect. He already was perfect when he left heaven to come to earth (as God's only Son), but in human form he perfectly obeyed His Father, passing through death, carrying our sins, yet without sinning himself.

The result of all this? He has made us adopted children of God, and therefore his brothers. Because he has taken our sins on the Cross and we are now part of his family, we too are holy, separated to God distinct and different from all else. That is what HE has done!

Why was the writer saying all this, and quoting from the Old Testament to confirm it? (See Psalm 22:22, Isaiah 8:17 & 8:18) Because he is wanting to show the greatness of Jesus and of what he has done. The person and work of Jesus are unique in all of Creation.

D. Application:

1. Jesus died to make us holy by taking our sins and by making us children

of God.

2. No other being in history can claim to have done this! Worship Him!

Chapter: Hebrews 2

Passage: Hebrews 2:14-18

A. Find Out:

1. What did Jesus first do? v.14a

2. What did he achieve? v.14b

3. Who did he free? v.15

4. Who does he help? v.16

5. How was he made? v.17a

6. For what reason? v.17b

7. How is he able to help us? v.18

B. Think:

1. What reasons are given for Jesus becoming human?

2. How is Jesus similar to, yet different from us?

C. Comment:

The writer now expands on why Jesus came in human flesh.

First he did it so that he could die and as the Son of God take all our sin and punishment, to atone for us. In doing this he has destroyed Satan's power over us, for no longer can he accuse and condemn us, for our guilt has been taken by Jesus.

Second, because he passed through death and came back, he has destroyed the fear of death for us. We have been reassured that he is who he said he was, because he came back, and we also know now that death is not the end.

Third, because he experienced in the flesh all the things we experience, he can faithfully mediate in heaven on our behalf. He knows what it is to be tempted and therefore he can help us more fully when he sees we are being tempted.

Remember, the whole point that the writer is making is the wonder of who Jesus is and what he has done. There is none to compare with him in all Creation. He is not only the One who was involved with his Father in Creation, not only the One who keeps the world going, but he is also One who understands and shares in our humanity at the closest level.

D. Application:

1. God did not stand afar of but came and lived in our shoes.

2. We can rest assured of His understanding love.

RECAP: "Greater than Angels" : Heb 1 & 2

SUMMARY :

In this first group of 7 studies we have seen :

- a declaration of the greatness of the Son

- a comparison of the Son with angels to show he is greater

- a warning to pay attention to the message of Jesus

- Jesus lower than angels but with all things beneath his feet

- Jesus who became human to destroy death

- Jesus who became our high priest.

COMMENT :

In these first two chapters the writer is constantly comparing Jesus with the angels, and shows him to be much greater. The Jews would have had great respect for angels who had come to them many times in their history. Now the Son of God has come who is vastly superior to any angelic being who has come to them before. Angels are sent to serve us but Jesus came that he might rule us. For this reason we should not be casual about the Gospel message.

“For a while”, the Son of God who left his place in heaven, appeared to be less than an angel, but he did it that he might share in our experiences, pass through death and then return to heaven to rule. Because he's been where we are he also acts as a priest for us, bringing us to God with sympathy and understanding. More of this will be revealed soon.

LESSONS?

1. Jesus is the unique Son of God who deserves our worship. Worship him.

2. Jesus took on our humanity to show us his love. Receive him.

3. Jesus took our sins to release us. Thank him.

4. Jesus shared our humanity to fully understand us. Share with him.

5. We would do well to hold firmly to this wonderful message. Remember him.

PRAY :

Worship Jesus who is Lord and King.

PART 2 : "Greater than Moses"

In this next Part the writer takes us on to compare Jesus with Moses and show how he is so much greater. He also warns us against unbelief and encourages us to press on to receive what is ours.