Part 4

In seeing the superior nature of Jesus’ own fruitfulness, we are led to the first chapter of the Hebrew Epistle. Again, this is Paul’s treatise of our Lord’s far-finer harvest, and an exhortation for all men to follow after it.

Paul’s very first exhortation  is related to the many famed Old Testament prophets. Such prophets were instrumental in the Jewish religion and were therefore held in very high esteem. As such, the Judaizers of Paul’s day were intent on elevating them over Jesus: They were exalting the testimonies of far-less fruitful men, and it was hindering their spiritual progress (Heb. 2:1). Paul refutes this common misconception and uses it an opportunity to declare the better fruitfulness of the Lord Jesus. And how does he do it? By contrasting the natures of the “word” that both speak. The “words” of Jesus and the prophets prove to differ on several counts, namely, in their revelation, their certainty, their kindness, their clarity, their power and their authority. Observe:

Firstly, Jesus speaks a Word of fuller revelation. The many prophets of old, as wonderful as they were, only spoke the Word of God, while the Lord Jesus is become the very Word of God made flesh (Jn. 1:1). The prophets only spoke of God’s glory, while Jesus is the actual “brightness of His glory” and “the express image of His person” (Heb. 1:3). All Old Testament prophets spoke a veiled word, while Jesus speaks “the Word of His power” (Heb. 1:3; 9:1-10; 1 Pet. 1:10). He is the better revealing of God’s mystery (Jn. 17:6). He is God’s greatest communication to mankind because He, unlike earthly prophets, most-accurately reads the Father’s heart to us (Jn. 14:7-10). There is no better example of the Father’s nature, for Jesus is God’s open book! He doesn’t merely point the way to God, but rather, He points the way, leads the course, and pays for the gas in our tanks (Jn. 14:6)! He doesn’t just retell a secondhand account of God’s many promises, but rather displays them deep within Himself and pours them forth from His own wounds (2 Cor. 1:20; Heb. 11:39). All of the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him (Col. 2:3)!

“But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them” (Matt. 13:16-17).

Secondly, Jesus speaks a Word of better certainty. The words of the prophets were often ignored, dismissed, or rebuked (Isa. 30:15; Jer. 6:16), while Jesus speaks a Word that men will ultimately “hearken” (Deut. 18:15; Jn. 6:29). His Word will prove to be ever-efficacious and His fruit will prove to be abundant (Phil. 2:9-11). And why? Because He speaks as God (Heb. 1:2; Lk. 10:16)!

Next, Jesus speaks a Word of greater kindness. Old Testament prophetic ministry often focused on words of impending judgment. The words that Jesus speaks are better simply because they are the words of God’s mercy (Heb. 1:3).

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17).

Fourthly, Jesus speaks a Word of sharper clarity. Even though God often spoke to His prophets in an audible or sensory way, the words He spoke came and went. Jesus, on the other hand, is God speaking to us via eternal indwelling, and is therefore far-superior (2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Tim. 3:16).

Next, Jesus speaks a Word of greater power. He is declared to be the “Heir of all things” and His word is that which powerfully “made the worlds” (Heb. 1:3; Gen.1-2). His speech is glorious speech, and it far outshines that of all Old Testament prophets. Jesus is said to “[uphold] all things” with the word of His power (Heb. 1:3; Eccl. 8:4; Ps. 107:20).

And finally, the Lord Jesus speaks a Word of far-greater authority. While on the Mount of Transfiguration, God the Father highlighted Jesus above the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah). God called Him “beloved” above all else, and tells us to “Hear ye Him” above all others, even Moses and Elijah:

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:1-5).

What a superior word our Lord spoke and yet still speaks! How else is our Lord’s crop so superior?

To be continued…