Christ, in the book of Hebrews

The book of Hebrews presents a profound and multi-faceted portrayal of Christ, emphasizing His superiority, His role as a high priest, and His function as the mediator of a new covenant.

1. Superiority of Christ:

Hebrews underscores Christ's supremacy over all spiritual beings and religious figures. It begins by highlighting that God has spoken through His Son, who is described as the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:4-14), for He is God's Son, begotten by God, worshipped by angels, and seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. His superiority extends to Moses, a central figure in Judaism, by asserting that while Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house, Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house (Hebrews 3:1-6).

2. High Priesthood of Christ:

A significant theme in Hebrews is Christ as the ultimate high priest. Unlike the Levitical priests who descended from Aaron and served in an earthly tabernacle, Christ is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6-10; 7:1-28). This order is eternal and not based on ancestry. Christ's priesthood is unique and eternal because He lives forever and has an indestructible life. His sacrifice is once and for all, unlike the repetitive sacrifices of the Levitical priests (Hebrews 7:27). Through His sacrifice, He entered the Most Holy Place in heaven, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). This priestly role emphasizes His empathy and understanding of human weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

3. Mediator of a New Covenant:

Christ is depicted as the mediator of a superior covenant, established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). The old covenant, mediated by Moses, was based on the law and was unable to bring people to perfection. In contrast, the new covenant, mediated by Christ, involves internal transformation and the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 8:8-12). This covenant is sealed by Christ’s blood, which is superior to the blood of bulls and goats, and it purifies the conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:13-14).

4. Perfect Sacrifice:

Christ's death is portrayed as the perfect and final sacrifice. His offering of Himself is contrasted with the sacrifices offered under the old covenant, which could never fully cleanse the conscience of the worshippers (Hebrews 10:1-4). Christ's sacrifice, on the other hand, was a single, all-sufficient offering that achieved what the old sacrifices could not—complete and eternal redemption. By this one sacrifice, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).

5. Exalted Son and Pioneer of Faith:

Hebrews also presents Christ as the exalted Son who has taken His place at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3; 10:12). He is described as the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2), having endured the cross and scorned its shame for the joy set before Him. His example serves as an encouragement to believers to persevere in their faith amidst trials and suffering.

In summary, the book of Hebrews portrays Christ as the supreme revelation of God, the eternal high priest, the mediator of a better covenant, the perfect sacrifice for sins, and the exalted pioneer of faith. This comprehensive depiction serves to affirm the centrality of Christ in the Christian faith and encourage believers to hold fast to their confession and persevere in their faith.