Daily Devotional Saturday 17th February 2024

by William Moody

Hebrews 1

The Supremacy of God’s Son

1:1 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, 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 as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

  “You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

  “I will be to him a father,
    and he shall be to me a son”?

And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

  “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Of the angels he says,

  “He makes his angels winds,
    and his ministers a flame of fire.”

But of the Son he says,

  “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
  therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

  “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11   they will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment,
12   like a robe you will roll them up,
    like a garment they will be changed.1
  But you are the same,
    and your years will have no end.”

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

  “Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Footnotes

[1] 1:12 Some manuscripts omit like a garment

(ESV)

The book of Hebrews was written to encourage Christians going through a difficult time. It was written particularly for those from a Jewish background to help them persevere, but it has much relevance for us all.

The first way the writer encourages this perseverance is to share about the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is God’s final great prophet (v1), God’s Son and heir (v2), the radiance of God’s glory (v3a), the sustainer of this world (v3b), the purifier of sins (v3c), the One seated in power at God’s right hand (v3d) and One who is superior to the angels (v4).

Take time to think about these great truths of Jesus and pray to God about them. Focusing on these truths about Jesus brings perseverance.

Angels were greatly esteemed in Jewish society but Jesus is greater because He is God’s Son (v5), He is one worthy of worship (v6), He is a man who is also amazingly the God who rules over everything (v8-9), He is the creator of all (v10), He is the eternal one who will not change (v11-12) and He will see all His enemies become like a footstool for Him to rest His feet on (v13). Jesus is the all powerful and victorious one whom we can trust.

If you are a believer who is discouraged, read again here about the Jesus who you are trusting in and in him find the strength to persevere.

Day 18 – Please read Hebrews 2

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.