Jesus: Greater Than
Jesus: Greater Than.. Moses?
March 8, 2020 • Brent Slater
Moses has always been held in the highest regard by the Jewish people. He was, after all, the prophet God used to bring the Law to them. He led them out of Egypt and to the promised land. He was, and is, a towering figure in their national history and faith. In some ways, it might seem that a comparison of Jesus to Moses would leave Jesus lacking. After all, while He lived in Israel, Jesus never became a national political leader. He didn’t lead them out of servitude to Rome as Moses had delivered them from the Egyptians. He seemed like another Rabbi, albeit one who did amazing miracles. But the Spirit says that Jesus far outranks Moses. Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house, while Jesus is the faithful Son. Jesus is worthy of much more glory than Moses. The focus then shifts to the longing of all hearts, rest. While Moses led the people out of Egypt, he didn’t bring them into a place of real rest. Even Joshua, who led the Israelites into the promised land, couldn’t give them genuine rest. They always looked forward to another rest, which would be authentic and indisputable. It is this real rest which Jesus alone provides. But it is only accessed through belief. The problem throughout history has been unbelief. Those who left Egypt with Moses didn’t trust that God could give them victory over the inhabitants of Canaan. They didn’t trust that God could rule them as King. And now, the question comes full circle. Jesus has come. He offers real rest. But will we believe? Will we trust that He has accomplished the work that is necessary for our salvation? Will we rest from our endless and fruitless striving, believing that He has won our rest? Jesus is greater than … Do you believe it?
Jesus: Greater Than.. Angels?
March 1, 2020 • Brent Slater
The writer begins with the stunning statement that Jesus is the very radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature! (1:4) He is the supreme revelation of God. His supremacy will reverberate throughout the complete book, beginning to end. In the 6th and 7th decades AD, many gnostic teachers (who presented themselves as people with special knowledge) had created a fascination with all sorts of levels of heavenly beings, including angels. Discussions and debates about the roles and importance of different angels turned people’s eyes and hearts away from Jesus. There was even some discussion about where Jesus fit into this hierarchy of celestial beings as if He might not be fully God. So the Holy Spirit immediately establishes the supremacy of Jesus. He is far superior to angels, and He alone can be the Savior of all men who believe. Jesus is greater.