PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Weekly Bible Study - Study 2 - The Book of Hebrews

“The son, although the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his nature, and although sustaining the universe by his powerful word, yet made purification for sins and then sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high, having been exalted as far above the angels as the name which he has inherited is superior to theirs.”. (Hebrews Chapter 1 verses 3 and 4).
Moving from the mud to clear water.

Respecting others and speaking the truth as we understand it are both worthy goals to pursue.  However, we live in a world where clarity and compromise is hard to distinguish due to Political correctness. We end up reducing language to common terms to the extent that we hardly know what they mean. The same can be said of our faith in Jesus Christ. In recent centuries there have been many attempts to water down the Christian message to fit in with other world views and religions. It common to hear expressions like “all religions are the same” or “Jesus surely cannot be God or his son to the exclusion of other beliefs”.

These kinds of ideas prevent meaningful discussion about Jesus and other claims to truth. If we tried to water down the laws of golf for example and said “what’s one shot here and there” or the way money operates and said “all notes are of equal value” we would find ourselves in absolute chaos.
Our writer is expressing a conviction about the person of Jesus that we can choose to accept or reject, but watering down the intent or the belief in favour of compromise is not helpful. Our writer has begun his book by clearly placing Jesus in a unique position in our world.

Based on our last study Jesus is the final word that God has spoken to the world, the heir of our world and the one through whom God created all things. Any further words concerning Jesus or God need to relate to helping us understand the Jesus who has come.

In our verses above, our writer is making the point that Jesus and God are of one and the same essence and being. Jesus is far more than a prophet, a Priest, and a King, Jesus is more than a human being.  Having removed the offense of our sin and defilement before God (through his own death) Jesus has been exalted forever to the highest position of honour, to the right side of God’s throne. This exaltation confirms the approval of all that Jesus accomplished in his life, death and resurrection. All comparisons to Jesus whether with other prophets, Priests, Kings or angels either before or after his life, will bow to his status and authority?

This is good news being proclaimed of how God has sent his son into the world to be the means by which our sins are forgiven and in turn how Jesus has been exalted forever to represent us; is the essence of our faith in Jesus. Jesus makes it possible for sinful people like us to be friends with God.

There is no shortage of alternative religions, revelations and angels available to us today. We also have this idea that we are the centre of our world and everything must conform to our liking. Just like a smorgasbord we are encouraged to pick and choose according to our needs and desires.
The book of Hebrews however lifts us out of that confusion and mud by focusing our attention on Jesus.  He is the one at the centre of life and we can find our place and purpose in life by believing in him.  By doing this, the mud clears and we see clearly our place in life.

Prayer
Gracious God, Help us to see Jesus for who he really is and not be confused by the world. Amen.

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