June 1 - Introduction to Hebrews
The book of Hebrews is not an easy Bible book to understand but, when after diligent study it is opened up to us, we see it is worth the effort! The book of Hebrews was written to Jews who wanted to turn back to the Old Testament shadows and ceremonies. They found it easier – that kind of worship was more physical in nature – and you can easily go through the routines. But the author to the Hebrews (we don’t know for sure who wrote it) strongly warns his Jewish audience not to return to that kind of worship. Why? Because Jesus is better than anything they have in the Old Testament! Jesus is not only the fulfilment of them all, but if they have Jesus, they have so much more than what they used to have in the Old Testament!
This month we are going to explore the book of Hebrews with the theme: Jesus is better! That little sentence sums up what Hebrews is all about. Jesus is better! Jesus was not just better for the Jewish audience to which this book was initially written. Jesus is better, for you and me. He is better than anything this world has to offer. His person is better, His glory is better, His salvation is better, His sympathetic heart is better, His sacrifice is better, His holiness is better. He is everything sinners and saints need!
I invite you to come and see for yourselves that Jesus is better. The answers the book of Hebrews gives will show us the glory of God beaming from the face of Jesus! Let’s pray for eyes and hearts to see, believe, embrace and conclude: Jesus is better indeed! Jesus is all I need!
Jesus, better than the prophets (I)
“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…” - Hebrews 1:1-2a
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4
God spoke, God speaks and continues to speak. But the way God speaks to us has changed over time. In the opening verses of Hebrews, we are told that in the past, God spoke to the fathers and the prophets. Think about how often God appeared and spoke, for instance, in Genesis alone. He spoke to Adam, Eve, Satan, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Hagar, Jacob and Joseph, to mention a few. When He spoke, He spoke in various forms of communication. He used His voice, He used dreams and other ways. God spoke in the past to our fathers and by the prophets.
But there is something special in the way God has spoken in these last days, the days in which we live. Not only because the canon is closed but, especially in the way He speaks! Because in these last days He speaks to us primarily by His very own Son: Jesus Christ! He is the Living Word! All of Scripture is about Him, and all of Scripture points to Him! He is God’s final Word to a sinful world! Yes, He speaks to us by His Son! Sinners hear the Gospel: of a perfect Savior, full of radiant glory and redeeming grace! The book of Hebrews is going to show us how Jesus fulfills all the Old Testament shadows and ceremonies, and of how Jesus is better than them all!
Suggestions for prayer
Thank God for the Bible, Jesus and for speaking to us. Pray that you would hear the voice of Jesus in your Bible reading and in study of the book of Hebrews this month.
Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
