We don’t know who wrote Hebrews, but we know why. This letter to the Hebrews is an appeal to Jewish Christians to withstand the temptation to play down the importance of Jesus. The higher the status that Jewish Christians accorded to Jesus, the more opposition they aroused from their fellow Jews. If they would have affirmed Jesus as a mere prophet or even as an angelic being they would have kept the peace. But the moment they exalted Jesus to the position of Lord over all creation and the very incarnation of God himself, they deeply offended their fellow Jews. So, the writer of Hebrews reminds them that Jesus is so much greater than the prophets, the angels and even Moses himself. Let us recognise that it is still tempting today to play Jesus down. It is usually acceptable to talk about God, but there is something about Jesus that people stumble over. Perhaps it is because Jesus brings God closer than what people are comfortable with. Perhaps it is because Jesus is the answer to a problem that people don’t want to admit they have. Perhaps it is because Jesus confronts people with a summons that they don’t want to obey. Whatever the reason, we must not shy away from associating ourselves with Jesus. An indistinct God who is out there somewhere will not be very confronting for people. But, in Jesus Christ, God becomes very distinct, and his call becomes very clear. In Jesus, God is speaking with greater clarity than in any other act of divine revelation.
Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith in Christ with others.
Read Hebrews 1 and 2
