Jesus is the most superior being whom humankind must respect and acknowledge to gain salvation. Although God is the universal creator and possessor of all power, He asks his people to trust Him through Jesus Christ, the ultimate redemption and source of eternal life. As a father, God elevates His son throughout the book of Hebrews as being above the angels, Moses, priests, and sacrifices made in tabernacles. In the Old Testament, God would send his will to humankind through angels, but today, God speaks His will through Jesus, making Him superior to angels. Therefore, Christians who believe and listen to the message of Jesus will avoid his wrath in the final days.
In the Epistle of Hebrews, we see that Jesus is the giver of eternal life through forgiveness and cleansing of sins. Although priests pray for people and offer sacrifices to ask for God’s forgiveness and other favors, Hebrew (10:1-18) states that Jesus is above all sacrifices and covenants in the tabernacles. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for humankind by dying on the cross and superior to all priests. He does not need any more sacrifices to give salvation but only urges Christians to live according to his ways and gain eternity. If Christians live in repentance and ask for forgiveness through Jesus, they will receive compassion and gain eternal life because Jesus is the ultimate giver of salvation.
Hebrews (3:1-6) elevates Jesus as superior to Moses and above all Moses and the Old Testament laws. Some people still live according to the laws of Moses by disregarding the teachings of the New Testament, for example, building shrines for their gods and idol worshipping. God tells us that While Moses led Israelites out of bondage and built a tabernacle for worshipping God, Jesus made a whole temple through his sacrifice, making Him mightier. Christians should strive to follow Jesus’ teachings and not rebel like the Israelites in the wilderness because the consequences might be dire since Jesus is more superior. Today, a Christian’s life may be unpredictable, with so many ups and downs along the path. However, God warns His people against rebelling and seeking other gods because only through Jesus can one find favor and eternal life and help fulfill “a heavenly calling.” Christians are like the Israelites in the wilderness, and Jesus is the leader; thus, whatever the circumstance, Christians should look upon their leader for guidance.
Jesus requires that human beings obey and follow his commands to achieve righteousness on earth by practicing humility and giving to the needy as he is the source of “final and definitve revelation.” Today, many people constantly worry about life’s hardships such as financial stability, social and emotional insecurities, and trying to have better lives by making more wealth. As a result, people are defying the ways of God, such as stepping on the vulnerable in society to gain higher social statuses or wealth instead of helping each other as brothers. However, God tells Christians to seek his wisdom more than worldly favors and possessions by treating one another kindly as “a part of a community both living and dead.” In James (2:1-5), God tells us to be humble because all human beings are equal and “ask of God, who gives to all generously.” If a Christian chooses whom to associate with according to one position in life, they are sinning.
Finally, the scripture tells us that God is love, and Jesus presents the nature of God to human beings. So, whoever lives according to God’s laws must love each other according to the teachings of Jesus to obtain salvation. Jesus Christ is above angels, priests, sacrifices, and the Old Testament laws. Christians should live according to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament that include loving each other, taking care of the needy, and seeking God’s wisdom in everything. Obeying the commands of God through Jesus helps Christians to overcome challenges on earth and await eternal life.
Reference List
Folarin, George O. 2018. “Theology and practice of Christ Apostolic Church on Bible inspiration and its authority in the context of Evangelical theology.” Hervormde Theologies Studies 74, no. 1. Web.
Dr. Robert Wayne Stacy, “NBST515_M6_Hebrews and James.”
Dr. Robert Wayne Stacy, “Spiritual orphans” [PDF Document].
New American Standard Bible. The Lockman Foundation, 2020, pp. Hebrews 1-24.
New American Standard Bible. The Lockman Foundation, 2020, pp. James 1-5.
Elwell & Yarbrough: Chapter 22, pp. 1-17 [Word Document].
The New King James Bible. Thomas Nelson, 1982, pp. Hebrews 1-22, James 1-5.