Hebrews 1. “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…” (1:1-2). Hebrews was written to give those who had heard the gospel, especially Jewish converts, a compelling reason why they should choose Christianity over the familiar and politically safe routines of Judaism. Across the Roman empire new converts to Christianity were being thrown out of the synagogue, tossed in jail, and even tortured. Was faith in Jesus Christ worth the risk?

For the sake of Jewish readers, the author (who is unidentified) painstakingly cites Old Testament passages (more than 80 times in the letter) to develop the case for Christ like a lawyer. Jesus Christ, his saving work, and the new covenant are presented as a continuation, and an improvement on, the former ways of Judaism.

This letter to the Hebrews presumes a knowledge of Jewish history. As you read, watch for these three things:

Comparisons – watch for words like in the past/former and better/superior. The author will make comparisons to angels and the Torah (chapters 1-2), Moses and the promised land (3-4), priests (5-7), and the old covenant and sacrificial system (8-10). One neat way to approach reading Hebrews is to make a list of all the things you learn about Christ!

Warnings – watch for strong words that caution Christians about drifting away from the faith, allowing their hearts to grow hard, persisting in sin, and resisting the promptings of the Holy Spirit. This is called “apostasy” – when a believer walks away from the faith, and it has eternal consequences.

Encouragement – watch for calls to preserve and to endure suffering and hardship, even if the things that have been promised are not immediately evident.

Hebrews begins with a theologically rich statement regarding the identity and position of Jesus Christ, that will carry us through the entire letter: God’s 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… of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom… You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;they will perish, but you remain (1:2-4,8,11).

What a fantastic statement of the supremacy of Christ! Following him must be worth the risk.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss all the statements about the angels in chapters 1-2. In the meantime, I recommend you take eight minutes and watch the Bible Project overview of Hebrews (here).