Hebrews 1:1-4
The first four verses of both the first and second chapters of Hebrews are similar in that they declare the superiority of the words of our Lord. However, while the second chapter points out the responsibility we have to heed and obey the words of Jesus, the first chapter keeps the focus on the Lord Himself.
The words spoken by Jesus are superior because of who Jesus is. He is the Heir of all things. He is the Creator of the universe (cf. John 1:1-4). He is the personification of God, and our blessed Redeemer. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and is presently reigning in His kingdom at the right hand of the Father. He is superior to the angels, and as stated by the writer, “has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (4).
These words serve as the premise of the Hebrew epistle. The Hebrew Christian should not place his trust in the Old Covenant. Rather, he should turn to the New. Salvation is in the words, sacrifice and mediation of Jesus Christ. All who have gone before are flawed, and unable to save. In these last days, God has spoken to us “through His Son.”
