v. 1 The text starts with the recognition that God has been speaking
to his people for a while. The idea that God "speaks" is critical for
Hebrews, which quotes OT scripture over 40 times, and makes literally
over a hundred allusions to texts that aren't directly quoted.
Interestingly, Hebrews avoids the usual phrase "It has been written",
instead preferring to refer to what God has "spoken". It seems that
this is intended to bring the text closer, to make it feel more
immediate, even though in this first verse he is demonstrating that the
way God is speaking in the present is through his son.
v.
2-4 focuses on telling us some important things about Christ. He is
the son of God. God has made him the heir of everything, It was
through him somehow that God made the universe. (See Col 1) Not only
was he involved in creation, by his word of power he is able to sustain
the universe as well. Again, this points towards the power of what
Jesus has to say...his words sustain the universe!
Also,
Jesus is the one who mirrors God. He is the exact representation, the
true image of God. Looking at Jesus is the same thing as looking at
God. Jesus is a full revelation of God, not a limited human version of
God.
It is interesting that Jesus' actions of purification of
sin is included here, but as Hebrews is going to develop its argument,
this is a key factor. Jesus is going to be portrayed as providing
purification in superior way than was previously available. Here in
the first verses, we have a key to understanding how the writer
understands Jesus superiority, and why that is an important
perspective. It is Jesus' superiority that enables our complete
purification. His superiority is key to our ability to trust him, to
have faith in him.
Finally, an element that is often
overlooked, Jesus sits down at the right hand of God. This is the
final step in his claim of superiority, his enthronement. This is also
an important theme in Ephesians (1:19-23), where the emphasis is one
how Jesus being enthroned in heaven shows his power and authority.
Here, it is his place/position over the angels that is important, his
relative superiority as a being.
The argument that follows
shows that the Son is superior to angels, particularly inasmuch as he
shares a similar function with them. As a messenger, since Jesus is a
superior being, his message is superior to that which was earlier
brought by angels. As the argument develops, this is going to be
critical because Jesus is bringing a new covenant, one which deserves
faith and trust.
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