The Nature and Work of Jesus Revealed - Hebrews Pt.1

Nature and Work of Jesus – The Book of Hebrews Study Part 1

(Written by Kevin A. Hall     04.05.17)

The author of Hebrews shows Jesus as being immortal, omniscient and omnipresent (4:12-13). Jesus is from the beginning, our eternal King. Jesus the Son is first portrayed as a man. He was fully and completely human, sharing in human flesh and blood (Heb. 2:4) so that He could save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus was “the Word becoming flesh” (Hebrews 10:5). This so that He could pay the penalty for the sins of mankind and render Satan powerless through death of the cross (Hebrews 2:14). Salvation was His mission – delivering mankind from the bondage of sin to which we often become enslaved via idols and false religion which ultimately leads to rebellion, unbelief and death (Hebrews 2:15; 3:12-13).

In His human form, Jesus was subject to all the elements just like man. He was hungry, He needed sleep, He needed relationships, He worked, He had friends and enemies, He was tired, He went to church, He walked and traveled like everyone else, He prayed to the Father, He cried, He suffered pain, He experienced ridicule and shame, He was falsely accused, He was abandoned, He was misunderstood, He showed compassion, He experienced grief, He got angry and was upset, He knew what it meant to feel rage and disappointment and certainly knew what it meant to work with people and seeing no return on the time and effort put into mentoring and discipleship. The unit shows us that Jesus was made lower than the angels (2:9) in order that He may “taste death for everyone”. This was His number one priority. Which leads me to describe His High Priestly role.

One of the attributes of God is Righteousness.

We can expect all of God’s judgments to be given through Himself as the standard. Why? Because He is truth. He “loves righteousness and hates lawlessness” (1:8). Therefore, sins’ tab required payment. God then declares that the Son would make purification of sins (1:3). The priests of old would sacrifice goats and bulls to atone for the sins of the people. Jesus would become mankind’s High Priest, only this time instead of sacrificing the blood of animals and birds, Jesus sacrificed His own life on a cross for the propitiation of sins. God anointed Him (1:9) for the task, crowned Him with glory and honor and put all things in subjection under His feet (2:7-8) so that He could complete the mission. This made Him “the perfect author of salvation and sufferings” (2:10), a process which would bring “many sons into glory” (2:10). As the perfect, faithful and merciful High Priest (2:17) Jesus could sympathize with mankind. He endured His humanity all the way to the cross. He was tempted and suffered, yet was faithful. The entire world’s sins (past, present and future) was placed on His shoulder as He was momentarily forsaken by the Father – the picture of a faithful High Priest. He fully represented mankind before His Father. In doing so he effectively brought God to the people. His death and resurrection provided relief from the bondage of sin. Now mankind can obtain rest in the Father’s eternal kingdom. No more pain, suffering, bondage and death.

Lastly, His role as High Priest shows His sinlessness (4:15). We see His deity (1:8). He is the heir of all things (1:2). He “exudes the glory of God” (1:3). He sustains operation of the universe (1:3). He is co-ruler with the Father as He is seated at the right hand of God (1:3). He is superior to the angels (1:4). He is the Son of God (1:5). He is worshiped by the angels (1:6). He is eternal (1:8). He is the author of all things (2:10). He is the One who sanctifies (2:11). He is the owner and builder of the Church (3:3-4). He is the One that gives spiritual gifts to the saints (2:4). He gives eternal Rest (4:9)

The Question Is:  “How Can We Neglect So Great A Salvation”?

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