“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.” (Hebrews 1:1-3a)
The unknown writer of Hebrews skillfully combines doctrinal teaching and practical exhortation to holy living so that the doctrine becomes the basis and essence of the exhortation. His purpose is to remind us that God has spoken to mankind through the scriptures but completely and ultimately through His Son, Jesus. Jesus is superior to all created beings, for He created all things: He is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. He is the complete revelation of God; therefore what He has to say is of vital importance for He tells us what God desires of us and what He has done to make us one with Him.
The writer of Hebrews cites several Old Testament Scriptures to prove His case. Christians down through the centuries accepted this presentation as indisputable proof because the Scripture is God’s word, as sacred and authoritative as God Himself. But today, this is not so in many churches or in the culture at large. Our culture promotes the idea that truth is relative; each person determines what is right and wrong; therefore each person can be his or her own authority. Each can interpret the scripture as he or she sees fit, usually in the light of bias, personal experience and predisposition. Our culture maintains that the Bible may contain some of God’s words and some sound ethical teaching but basically it is a record of the struggles of one group of people to find meaning and purpose in a chaotic world. It is not true for all people. It is no wonder that the world is sliding slowly into anarchy and violence. But the Bible is the Word of God. And it proclaims that only only real hope for peace, truth, love, meaning and purpose in life is in Christ Jesus. Only the word of God creates order out of chaos and provides real comfort in the midst of pain and suffering.