Hebrews 1:1: The Superior Revelation of Jesus Christ

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” —HEBREWS 1:1-2

The author of Hebrews takes one key thing for granted in his writings and that is the fact that God speaks. In the opening two and a half chapters, he talks about four means by which God has spoken in the past, and why these four means are actually inadequate in themselves, because in each of them Christ becomes the superior revelation.

The writer first talks about God speaking through the prophets who were the aristocracy of the history of Israel. In Jeremiah 23:28, God says to the prophets, “…let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.” That was their role, to listen to God and convey His message. Secondly, God speaks through the priesthood whose task it was to make their appeal to God on behalf of the people. Their primary function was to approach God for the purification of the sins of His people. This was based on the blood sacrifices of animals for atonement of sin, but their work was never finished. Day after day, they would offer sacrifices, first for themselves and then for others. But of Jesus, Hebrews 1:3 says, “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” The work of atonement for sin was finished, and Christ as the Priest who was Himself purification for sin, rose to His position in heaven.

Thirdly, God spoke through angels. The word ‘angel’ literally means ‘messenger’, and their role was to carry messages from God, which were always binding. At various times, angels also appear as ‘ministering spirits’, as they were to Jesus after 40 days in the wilderness and in the Garden of Gethsemane. Fourthly, God spoke through Moses. “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future.” (Hebrews 3:5). We are told that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11). It was to Moses God gave His laws and these served as the plumb line by which the Hebrew people were to live.

Why does Christ become superior to the prophets, priests, angels and Moses, the chief legal authority in Israel? Was He a better preacher? Did He have a better message? Was He more trustworthy? He may have been all of that and much more, but Jesus Christ was superior, not for these reasons, but because He is Himself the message. He is Himself the Truth to whom one day all of humanity will bear witness.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the ways You have spoken to us, especially through your Son. My prayer is for all those who have yet to know the Truth and experience You. 

What speaks to me most clearly about Jesus as the Truth?