Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, as we start out in Hebrews, we are looking into the incredible message that God has for each and every one of us. You see, throughout history, God has been speaking to humanity in various ways and at different times. In the Old Testament era, He spoke through prophets, visions, and dreams. But now, in these last days, God has given us His full and final message in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Friends, this is such a profound truth that we must not overlook. Jesus is not just another prophet or messenger – He is the very Son of God, the heir of all things, through whom the entire universe was created. The writer of Hebrews puts it beautifully when he says that Jesus is “the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3). Just think about that for a moment. In Jesus, we see the fullness of God's character and attributes shining forth. He is the perfect representation of the Father.

But it doesn't stop there. This same Jesus, who upholds all things by the word of His power, humbled Himself to become one of us. He took on human flesh, lived among us, and ultimately gave His life to purge our sins. And now, having completed His earthly mission, He has sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. What an astounding journey – from the heights of glory to the depths of sacrificial love, and back to the throne of heaven!

Now, you might be wondering, “What does all this mean for me?” Well, my friends, it means everything. You see, in Jesus, we have access to something far greater than anything the old covenant could offer. The law, as good as it was, could never fully deal with the problem of sin. It could only point to our need for a Saviour. But in Christ, we have the fulfillment of all that the law and prophets spoke about.

The book of Hebrews was written to a specific Jewish Christian community that was struggling to make the transition from the old covenant to the new. Some had fully embraced Christ, while others were still examining the gospel and considering putting their trust in Him. Due to their association with Christianity, they faced persecution from both Romans and their fellow countrymen. Those who weren't yet born again were at the point of rejecting Christ and returning to the rituals and ceremonies of their religion. Even those who were born again had become discouraged and were considering returning to Judaism as an easier option.

Friends, this is why the author of Hebrews issues such a strong warning in chapter 2. He says, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). You see, the danger isn't so much that we might actively reject Christ, but that we might simply neglect Him. We might let the busyness of life, the cares of this world, or even religious activities distract us from the simple yet profound truth that Jesus is all we need.

Think about it this way: imagine you're drowning in the ocean, and a lifeboat comes along. Would you ignore it because you're too busy trying to stay afloat? Of course not! You'd grab onto that lifeboat with all your might. Well, Jesus is our lifeboat in the stormy seas of life. He's not just offering us temporary relief; He's offering us eternal salvation and a relationship with the living God.

The writer goes on to say, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). It's a rhetorical question, but the implied answer is clear – we won't escape. There's no Plan B when it comes to salvation. Jesus is God's full and final word to humanity. He's not just a way to God; He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “But what about all the other spiritual experiences and phenomena we hear about?” Don't get me wrong – I believe God can and does work in miraculous ways. But here's the thing: all of these experiences, whether it's prophecies, visions, or angelic encounters, are meant to point us to Jesus. They're not ends in themselves. The moment we start chasing after these experiences instead of pursuing Christ, we've missed the point.

The author of Hebrews takes great pains to show how Jesus is superior to everything in the old covenant. He's superior to the prophets, to angels, to Moses, to Aaron, to the priesthood, to the sacrifices, and to the temple. That's why Hebrews is often called the “letter of the better” – the word “better” appears 13 times in the book. Whatever we might think we have, Jesus is better.

Friends, in Christ, we have something that this world cannot give and cannot take away. We have a Saviour who knows us intimately, who has experienced every temptation we face, and who is able to sympathise with our weaknesses. We have a High Priest who is constantly interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. We have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

So, what does this mean for our daily lives? It means that whatever situation you're facing right now, Jesus is the answer. Are you struggling with guilt and shame? Jesus has purged your sins. Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? Jesus upholds all things by the word of His power – surely, He can handle your situation. Are you searching for meaning and purpose? In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 2:10 that we are “complete in Him.” That word “complete” means to be filled to the full, to be lacking in nothing. Think about that! When you have Jesus, you have everything you need for life and godliness. You don't need to run after the latest spiritual fad or seek wisdom from worldly sources. Everything you need is found in Christ.

Now, I'm not saying that counselling or seeking advice is wrong. But I am saying that Jesus should be our first port of call. Before you book that appointment or buy that self-help book, have you really taken your situation to Jesus? Have you spent time in His Word, letting His truth wash over you and renew your mind? Have you poured out your heart to Him in prayer?

You see, Jesus knows what is in man. He understands you better than you understand yourself. And not only does He understand, but He has the power to transform you from the inside out. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, as we meditate on His Word and allow His Spirit to work in us, we are “transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Friends, this is the heart of the gospel. It's not about trying harder or doing more. It's about resting in the finished work of Christ and allowing His life to flow through us. It's about recognising that in Him, we have all we need for every situation we might face.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus became a little lower than the angels for our sake. He partook of flesh and blood, just like us. But through His triumph where Adam failed, He has lifted us up to the throne to be with Him. We are now seated with Christ in heavenly places. Angels are around the throne, but Jesus is on the throne, and we are seated with Him. He rules and reigns; they serve.

This truth should revolutionise our lives. No matter what challenges we face, no matter what opposition we encounter, we can rest assured that we are on the winning side. Our victory is not something we have to strive for – it's already been accomplished in Christ. Our job is simply to stand firm in that truth and live it out day by day.

Friends, let me encourage you today: don't drift away from this great salvation. Don't let the cares of this world or the deceitfulness of riches choke out the word. Don't let the enemy convince you that you need something more than Jesus. He is enough. He is more than enough. In Him, you have everything you need for life and godliness.

It's worth noting that the message of Hebrews is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written. Many of us, like those early Jewish Christians, are tempted to go back to old ways of thinking or living. We might be tempted to rely on our own efforts, our own righteousness, rather than resting in the finished work of Christ. But the author of Hebrews reminds us that there's nothing to go back to. All the shadows and types of the old covenant find their fulfillment in Jesus.

Consider for a moment the incredible truths we find in the first few verses of Hebrews. We're told that God has appointed Jesus as heir of all things. Everything is going to end up with Jesus. Through Him, God made the entire universe. Jesus is the brightness of God's glory, the very image of His person. He upholds all things by the word of His power. Just think about that – the same Jesus who loves you and gave Himself for you is the one who keeps the planets in their orbits and the stars in their courses.

But perhaps most amazing of all, this cosmic Christ became our personal Saviour. He purged our sins. The putting away of the sins of His people was an even greater work than making and upholding the worlds. And having completed this work, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. This sitting down signifies that the work is finished. There's nothing more to be done for our salvation. It's complete in Him.

Be blessed today, my brothers and sisters. May you come to know more deeply the riches of God's grace that are found in Christ Jesus. May you find in Him the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, and the comfort for every sorrow. And may you never drift away from this great salvation, but rather anchor your soul firmly in the unchanging truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for you. Remember, He is God's full and final message to you – and what a glorious message it is!

Phil