Jesus is Better Than Angels & 1st Warning (Hebrews 1:1-2:4)

"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?" Hebrews 2:1-3 (NIV)

Context

Today’s historical background video on Hebrews identifies the temptation faced by the Jewish readers of this letter. Since followers of Jesus were being targeted for persecution, they considered abandoning Christ and returning to the religion of their ancestors, relating to God on the basis of the Old Covenant system.

Observation

After comparing the way God spoke in the past with the way he has spoken now by the Son (1:1-3), the author goes on to illustrate the many places the Hebrew Scriptures testify to the Son’s superiority over angels (1:4-14). See the charts below for these comparisons.

The author then presents his first warning: if disobedience to the message spoken through angels was certain to receive just punishment, how much more would ignoring the message of salvation brought by the Son (2:1-4)?

Interpretation

As you read Hebrews 1:1-2:4 for yourself, reflect on the readers’ temptation to “shrink back” from Jesus and return to the Law of Moses.

The author begins by establishing the message brought by the Son as final and definitive, far superior to anything received by their Jewish ancestors. He goes on to argue for Christ’s superiority over angels because of the common belief that angels had mediated God’s conversation with Moses on Mount Sinai (see Acts 7:37-38, 53).

This is the basis for his first warning against returning to the Law, which could be rephrased in this way: “If you’re so certain disobeying that message (delivered by angels) deserved punishment…how much more is judgment deserved for those who abandon the far greater message delivered by the Son?”

Practically, what would it look like for the readers to respond to this warning by “paying the most careful attention to what we have heard”?

Application

We are constantly hearing messages that Jesus isn’t necessary to reach God and the good life. Can you think of any you’ve heard recently?

How can you respond to the author’s first warning by “paying careful attention to what we have heard”? Specifically, what needs to be paid attention to? Practically, how can you do this?