Day 356, December 22 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Hebrews 1:1–4:13
Finding Rest
After weeks or even a day of holiday stress, we need rest, don't we? We also need a rest for our souls. Many are searching for meaning this Christmas and have not found it. Are peace and rest found in Christmas decorations and angels? No, real rest is found in Jesus Christ (more...).
In the first century A.D., Jewish Christians were being influenced by Gnosticism, a special “knowing” or revelation of angels and a return to the Jewish Law and its traditions. Like Colossians, the book of Hebrews may have been a response to this cult. Indeed, Hebrews is a exposition proving that only in Christ can we find rest.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12, NIV).
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example [the Israelites] of disobedience (Hebrews 4:11, NIV).
Why is Jesus Christ superior to every other belief?
Christ is superior to Biblical prophets
Prophets delivered God’s messages in Old Testament (or Old Covenant) times, but now God speaks through his Son, Jesus Christ. He was with God the Father, and he created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. He is not just another prophet—as the obedient Son of God, Jesus is the heir of all things in heaven and earth.
Christ is superior to angels
There is a lot of attention given to angels in our day, as it was in early church days. The writer of Hebrews, however, says the ministry of angels is to worship Christ, that they are his servants, and they are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:6-7,14, NIV).
It is true that Christ was made a little lower than the angels so that he might die for every person and give each one the opportunity for salvation. Now, however, Christ sits at the right hand of God (a special position of equality), and he will someday rule and reign, unlike angels.
Because the Son of God is superior to angels, the writer warns, “we must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away… How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:1,3a, NIV).
Christ’s message is authoritative
This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us [Jews] by those who heard him [eyewitnesses]. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will (Hebrews 2:3b-4, NIV).
Be Faithful!
The context for today's Bible reading is that the Jewish Christians were suffering for their faith. Because of this, they were tempted to return to the ways of Judaism.
Perhaps, we are also suffering. What encouragement is there to stay faithful? Let's look at Jesus.
Jesus suffered on the cross, and he was severely tempted. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was in so much anguish about being separated from his heavenly Father and the death he was to suffer for all people, that he prayed that if it be his heavenly Father's will, he would remove this death his Son was to die (more...).
The writer of Hebrews encourages us, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18, NIV). Jesus understands and will help us bear our trials, no matter how severe. Let's pray for God's help and strength. As difficult as it may be, we should focus our eyes on Jesus and God's greater glory, instead of our circumstances.
Jesus Christ is greater than Moses
As you may know, Moses was the prophet who led Israel out of Egypt. Moses, Abraham, and King David were Jewish heroes. Moses led the Israelites in victory after victory in the desert wilderness. Through Moses God instituted the sacrificial system, feasts, and priests. Moses supervised the building of the tabernacle (a portable worship center), and he led the Israelites to the Promised Land of Canaan (now Israel and Jordan). Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house (in the building of the tabernacle and his various responsibilities as a leader over the nation).
Jesus is God, however, and he is superior to Moses because he is the builder of every substance in the world and the universe. Christ was not just a servant in God’s house; he was and is a faithful Son over God’s house (everything he has made).
The Jews in Moses’ day wandered around in the wilderness for forty years. They could not enter into their rest in Canaan because they did not trust God to help them fight against the giants in the land. The writer of Hebrews therefore warned the current Jewish believers,
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:12-13, NIV).To unbelievers (particularly Jews but by principle also non-Jewish people of every period), the writer of Hebrews warns, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest [heaven] still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it” (Hebrews 4:1, NIV). In other words, let's not harden our hearts as the Israelites did in the desert and miss the promised land—heaven.
The Apostle Paul writes, “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b, NIV). We must not wait. We must not scorn God’s grace. He knows our hearts and minds, and he knows whether we are truly his followers (Hebrews 4:12-13). We need to believe God will give us salvation from sin if we trust only in his Son for our salvation. We need to believe in God’s way of salvation to be admitted to heaven, our Promised Land. (more...).
Christians, let's not allow the stress of the holidays to cause us to lose focus on the reason for the season—Jesus. Real rest is found in him. We should continue in Bible reading, prayer, and worship, and be thankful for all we have in him. We don't have to look elsewhere for peace and rest for our souls.
Discussion
How is Jesus superior to angels, the prophets and Moses? What difference does that make?
When we are experiencing severe trials and temptations, there is a temptation to quit and do something less controversial than following Jesus. Why should we stay faithful?
Where can we find ultimate peace and rest for our souls?
Focus Verses
Hebrews 4:11, NIV “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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Looking Ahead: Not only is Christ superior to the prophets, angels, and Moses, He is A Better Vehicle for salvation. See more in our Next Lesson.
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