Rev. Dr. John Kleinig, professor emeritus of Australian Lutheran College in Adelaide, SA, Australia, and author of the Concordia Commentary on Hebrews joins Rev. Brady Finnern to begin our study of Hebrews. Find the Concordia Commentary on Hebrews at cph.org/p-30884-Hebrews-Concordia-Commentary.aspx.
We often think of the benefits that we WILL receive in heaven, which is true. Yet, the author to the Hebrews emphasizes all the gifts of heaven that we receive now. Jesus, the Great High Priest, brings cleansing, atonement, the Holy Spirit, blessing, heavenly food, and grace to His people now by His Word. As we begin our study on Hebrews, we get a picture of heaven by seeing the Tabernacle of the Old Testament connected to the better covenant that we have today in Christ. “Lord Jesus, as You are the great High Priest, we ask for Your cleansing by Your blood that we may draw near with confidence Your throne of grace upon grace. Lord have mercy. Amen”
Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.
Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Hebrews 1
The Supremacy of God’s Son
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 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. 3 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 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”?
6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7 Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
and his ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 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.[a]
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
- Hebrews 1:12 Some manuscripts omit like a garment
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org
