Christ Through the Ages, 19: Hebrews—Not Just Superior, But Supreme

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/christ-through-the-ages-19-hebrews-superior-supreme/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p>Introductory thoughts</p><ul><li>The Hebrew writer (c.66-68 AD) urges his readers not to be drawn away from Christ to Judaism.</li><li>To this end, the writer makes an extended comparison -- the new is better than the old; Christianity is better than Judaism.</li><li>The Hebrew writer thinks many Christians can't handle meaty teaching; for them, it's all milk (Heb 5:11-14). Which kind of Bible student am I going to be? Which word describes the maturity of my faith and teaching, <i>meaty</i> or <i>milky</i>?</li><li>Consider the Latin adjectives <i>super</i>, <i>superior</i>, <i>supremus </i>(positive, comparative, and superlative forms). Nothing is higher than supreme.</li></ul><p>Christ is superior in many ways:</p><ul><li>Prophets</li><li>Angels</li><li>Moses</li><li>Joshua</li><li>Sabbath</li><li>High priest</li><li>Covenant</li><li>Tabernacle</li><li>Sacrifices</li></ul><p>Yet Christ is beyond superior; he's <i>supreme</i>!</p><ul><li>Eternal (1:2, 7:18, etc -- present at creation, and remains forever).</li><li>Divine ruler (1:3, 12:2 -- as he sits at the right hand of the Father).</li><li>Above the angels -- divine (1:6 -- if he's worshiped by the angels, then he's <i>above</i> their level; he's not a mere man, nor an angel, but God).</li><li>God (1:8 -- Christ is addressed "Your throne, O God...").</li><li>Incarnate God (2:14 -- he came to share in our humanity [the incarnation], which means he was no mere enlightened human teacher, but divine).</li><li>Great Shepherd (13:20 -- but the Lord is our Shepherd, as in Psalm 23, hence Jesus Christ is God).</li><li>To Him be glory forever (13:21 -- again, suggesting his deity).</li></ul><p>Supremacy: illustrations</p><ul><li>Einstein superior to Newton, who was superior to the ancient Greeks... but only God is supreme.</li><li>An athlete batting 400 is superior the