Jesus — is better

Moving on to the book of Hebrews, my devotional guide points out that the central idea of this epistle is to urge believers to “go on unto perfection” rather than fall back into their former ways. It warns about the dangers of neglect, unbelief, immaturity and apostasy. To support these statements, the superiority of Christ is emphasized to a degree not found in any other New Testament book. Jesus is greater than the sacrificial system, other men, angels, and rituals. He is God’s final revelation, the mediator of a new and better covenant.

This book begins with this lofty statement:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:1–4)

I wonder if the Christians at that time were involved in angel worship because the first part of this book gives a lengthy presentation of why Jesus is superior to angels. However the author moves on, explaining why Jesus is superior to Moses too and to their efforts to keep God’s laws. But before he goes into that, the writer of Hebrews says:

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself (Jesus) likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:14–18)

Angels never become people to share in our lives. Angels never destroyed the devil who had the power of death. Jesus didn’t come to help angels either; He came to help those who are Abraham’s offspring in the sense that all who believe with the same faith as this man have become his children:

For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. (Romans 4:14–16)

That is, those who keep the law (or try to) are not God’s children. Our salvation depends on faith and the grace of God. God spoke and Abraham believed. This was counted to him as righteousness, just as it is for all who hear God speak and believe what He says. This is the people to whom Jesus came to serve, to be like us and share in our struggles and temptations, and to be our high priest, and to also make propitiation for our sins.

Propitiation in a general sense means to appease an offended party’s wrath (for some wrongdoing) in order to regain goodwill; normally accomplished by making sacrifice to an offended deity. In this particular instance, it is Jesus who died on the cross, who took my penalty for sin, who satisfied the wrath of God for me and secured my forgiveness — doing all this that I could never have done for myself. This is why Jesus is better. Angels could not do it. My efforts to be good enough could not do it. Law-keeping is impossible. Only Jesus can save me from the penalty and power of sin.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, what can I say? My expressions of gratitude seem so inadequate. Relying on You and what You have done is the best response. I love You and obedience to You expresses that love. Thank You.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- This is Canadian Thanksgiving. Obviously, Jesus is at the top of the list.

- Faithful men who wrote what God put on their hearts so I have the Word of God to read.

- Prayer, being able to live in a relationship with my Lord and Savior and talk to Him about everything.

- Family, eating turkey and all the trimmings together.

- Freedom to do all the above and more.

- Joy, even with trials and challenges.

- Peace with God.