Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12; October 2-8, Year B:

In this lectionary reading, we see that Christ is set above the prophets, heir of all things, participant in creation. We need not be looking for the "next big thing."  Christ *is the last word.  This passage hearkens back to the Transfiguration, and to God's affirmation of His Son on the banks of the river Jordan at Chris's baptism.  This is not to be understood is setting Christ above the Bible or the written word, but simply to make clear that this is God's most complete and final revelation of Himself.

 

This is also meant to repel Gnostic heresies that somehow Jesus was not fully human and fully divine.  The writer of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wanted to make it perfectly that Christ was both fully human and fully divine.  This comes through very clearly in the opening words of the epistle.

 

The passage also reminds us of Christ's office as Priest and King, and shows His Excellency, majesty, and points to His sacrifice.

 

As the fathers spoke in times past to the Jews, now Christ speaks to us.  Christ as Lord demands our obedience; but He also provides the way to make that obedience possible, by the Holy Spirit.  

 

In Hebrews 2, we are pointed back to Psalm 8.  We are reminded again of Christ's redeeming work in creation.  We are reminded of His identification with us and the fulfilling of the purposes of God.  (Read Romans 5:6-10 and Luke 22:22.)  We are set apart through Christ by His atoning blood.  As Christ depended on God the Father, so we must depend upon the Father and the Son for our salvation.  Hebrews 2 is, in a sense, the application of Hebrews 1.  It is the reminder that gospel is better than law--not because it contradicts law, but because it accomplishes law. Therefore, we are to give heed to God's ordained way of salvation.

 

We cannot deny the rightful place of the law; but we are provided a way of escape from its judgment.  In fact, it is even worse to neglect the gospel than it is to disobey the law.  Again the, we come face to face with the finality of God's revelation in Christ. God has borne witness to His Son, not only by the Transfiguration and by His word on the banks of the river Jordan, but by various other signs and miracles.

Aside from the basic truths which are taught here, the contemporary significance of this portion of Hebrews is in its insistence on Christ as God's final revelation to mankind, despite the cries of some that "all roads lead to God."  We reject "New Age" openness to other religions.  We reject universalism and the kind of misguided tolerance that seems to undercut any zeal for evangelism.  I even heard one minister suggest that he was waiting to see what God would do next.  His belief was that Jesus was all well and good for His time, but He was waiting to see God's next revelation for *our day.  (Apparently, this minister didn't believe Hebrews 1:1-4 means what it says.)  

 

Many of the world's religions may contain some truth; but any religion, no matter what it calls itself, that does not recognize Christ as Lord and Savior, the only Begotten Son of God, and the "only mediator between God and man" is not Christianity, and is therefore, a flawed religion.  Those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ, as He is presented in the Bible, are subject to eternal condemnation and punishment!  That's not my opinion; it's the foundational truth of Christian faith.