Sunday School Lesson: “Worship Christ’s Majesty” Hebrews 1:1-5 New Living Translation Hebrews 1:1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God‘s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. 5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: ―You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.‖ God also said, ―I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.‖ 6 And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, ―Let all of God‘s angels worship him.‖ 7 Regarding the angels, he says, ―He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.‖ 8 But to the Son he says, ―Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. 9 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. The People, Places, and Times Sin. Sin is defined as breaking the law of God. The concept of sin was very common among the Jewish people before and during the life of Jesus. Most good Jews would have learned at an early age the laws regarding sin from the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Jewish Bible and the Old Testament). Sin forms a separation between a holy God and His people. Leviticus details the required responses of the people to rectify their sin against God. In Leviticus 4:1–5:19, for example, we learn that a primary duty of the priests of Israel was to sacrifice an animal regularly to God for the forgiveness of the people‘s sins. Purification Rituals. Purification rituals were a set of sacrifices and actions designed to make an individual or a group of people holy before God. Because the book of Hebrews was written to a predominantly Jewish-Christian audience, the proclamation that Jesus ―cleansed us from our sins‖ would have had profound meaning for them (v. 3, NLT). It would have served as a powerful reminder that no longer must they spill the blood of an animal to be in God‘s presence. Rather, Jesus‘ sacrifice, once and for all, allows them to have access to a holy God (Hebrews 9:11–14). No longer must a priest serve on their behalf to enact purification rituals, either. As the author of Hebrews explains, Jesus not only replaces the animal sacrifice, but the high priest as well (chapters 7–8). No longer are the old rituals necessary. Jesus‘ sacrifice for their sins is lasting and completely effectual. The key point is that with the sacrifice of Jesus, a new type of purification of sins has been established. Backstage The early Christians were composed of Jews and Gentiles. The letter of Hebrews, however, appears to be intended for a primarily Jewish-Christian audience. Over and over, the letter refers to ideas and concepts that have historical importance for Jews. For example, the author talks about ―purification for sins,‖ a ―high priest,‖ and Israel‘s time in the wilderness. In addition, the author refers to key figures in Israel‘s history, such as the prophets, Moses, Joshua, and the priest Melchizedek. Many of the references to Jewish history are to instruct these new Christians. By drawing on language and themes that would have had significance for the audience, the author is instructing and encouraging these fledgling Christians to press forward in their new faith. The author contrasts their Jewishness to their Christian identity and explains how being a follower of Christ is similar to and different from Judaism. The author is careful to point out that because Christ is superior to figures in their Jewish history, including highly esteemed angels, He is worthy of their faith and worship. Combing Through 1. The Son of God (Hebrews 1:1–3) You will notice that in verses 1–3 the name Jesus is not mentioned; neither is the title Christ (Messiah). Almost startlingly, ―Jesus‖ is not invoked until Hebrews 2:9. Not mentioning Jesus in this section seems most likely to do with the focus of the author. By not mentioning His name until later, the author wishes to draw the attention of the readers to who Jesus is. And for this author, discussion of Jesus‘ identity begins not with His name but with the fact that He is God‘s Son, and thus God Himself. Jesus‘ divinity is highlighted. If the readers forget that Jesus is God, then they will forget the importance of His message and His life, and they will not offer Him the worship He deserves. If Jesus was just a man, then His message was just a good word spoken by a human being. If Jesus‘ actions were just human actions, then He was just a good human being. But this is not so, says the author in these opening verses. Jesus‘ message is connected to the very mind of God. Jesus‘ actions are connected to the very will of God. Jesus is God. 2. Superior to the Angels (vv. 4–9) In this set of verses, the author continues to build upon the description of Jesus. Let me sketch you a picture, the author seems to say. Imagine the angels. They‘re pretty important, aren‘t they? Pretty powerful. Pretty amazing creatures. Well, where do you think Jesus stands in comparison? Higher, the author contends! Jesus is more important, more powerful, and more amazing. But the most important point to realize here is the same as in the previous verses. Jesus is superior to the angels because His identity is connected directly and inseparably to God. ―The name he has inherited is superior to theirs‖ (v. 4). Next the author asks, ―For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‗You are my Son; today I have become your Father‘? Or again, ‗I will be his Father, and he will be my Son‘?‖ (v. 5, NIV). The answer to these rhetorical questions are ―none.‖ But the author doesn‘t stop there. He continues to hammer the point of Jesus‘ divinity home for the audience. As if he hasn‘t been clear, ―And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‗Let all God‘s angels worship him‘‖ (v. 6, NIV). In verses 7–9, the author elaborates even more on the deity (divinity) of Jesus, God‘s Son. The author reiterates Jesus‘ divinity to caution his readers to heed His message and live lives faithful to God. As the letter unfolds, the author continues discussing who Jesus is as a reason to worship Him through obedience. Lesson Learned/Make It Happen People in society often esteem other people. Presidents, kings, queens, athletes, and celebrities receive praise for their status and achievements. Today‘s passage draws our attention to the one who is most deserving of all our praise and worship: Jesus, God‘s Son. How often do we find ourselves worshiping Him instead of finding ourselves at the feet of a person in society? As the saints of old say, “Aint nobody God but God!!! Sometimes when we read the Bible, it is tempting to view Jesus as a man. Even Christians can forget the significance of Jesus being God. How can you shape your worship of Jesus to start with the fact that He is God instead of what He‘s done for you? What God has done for us is important and it helps to get us into a place of gratitude; which eventually gets us to thanksgiving and praise; adoration and worship. But we should always acknowledge God’s Holiness and Righteousness. Never forget who He Is! God is Holy at All times!!! And God, Jesus & the Holy Ghost are one! Feel Jesus late at night!!!! Glory!!! youtu.be/kNm4sWCUqXc
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 06:01:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015