My Daily Pause

Hebrews opens with the writer explaining the superiority of Christ over all of the devices of the Jews – the law, the prophets – Judaism in general. The Jews worked hard to discredit Christ as the one they were expecting, but many came to realize the truth.

For those who were weakened by the efforts of the Jews to discredit Christianity, the writer opened the letter with seven reasons that they should recognize Christ’s authority and his qualifications as the King of kings.

The Credentials of Christ

Hebrews 1:2-3 packs seven things to look for in Christ:

1. He was appointed heir of all things (Psalm 2:8, Hebrews 1:5)
2. The world was made through him (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3, Genesis 1:26)
3. His excellence of character (John 1:14) – This is noted in Hebrews 1:3a as his radiance or effulgence
4. He is the image of God (Hebrews 1:3b)
5. He is a sustaining force (Colossians 1:16-17)
6. He purchased our sins (1 Corinthians 6:20)
7. He sits at God’s right hand (1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 8:1)

Through every conceivable right of lordship, Christ is in authority. The Bible is brimming with proof that should encourage the faithful student to continue to follow him. This is the primary reason that reading your Bible is so important – it causes your faith to grow. (Romans 10:17) The seven credentials of Christ listed in Hebrews 1 are points that are continuously proven throughout the Bible – Old and New Testaments. Having these proven time and time again is what gives us solid hope. (Hebrews 11:1)