This is, of course, somewhat slippery ground. I would never want to suggest that one book of the Bible is better, sounder, truer, more inspired than any other book of the Bible. It is all God breathed, without error and powerful for reproof, correction, for reshaping us into the image of Christ. But, Hebrews. It’s Hebrews without a doubt.
The first reason is the most potent and is well illustrated by the name given to the sermon series we sheep were blessed with at Pine Hills Church over the summer. It was simply titled, “Greater Than.” Our pastors led us through chapters 9-11 and faithfully preached the glorious truth that Jesus is greater than everything that came before Him and everything that has come since. Hebrews is a book that exalts Christ.
The second reason is how it exalts Christ. That is, the author of Hebrews doesn’t just affirm the truth of the transcendence of Jesus, doesn’t just exalt Him in terms of His glorious being. No, the author demonstrates that the perfections of Christ are put to work in our salvation. It’s not just, “He is great” but “The One who is great has won great things for you.” He is both the priest offering up the sacrifice for our sins, and the sacrifice offered up for our sins. He intercedes for us, bringing our petitions before the Father as His own.
The third reason is the context of the exaltation of Christ. First, Hebrews is written to those who are facing the temptation to toss aside the Christian faith because of the hardships it has brought into their lives. The Hebrews are not the nice, happy people leading nice, happy lives. They are those who need to be told that Christ is holding on to them and will never let them go. Second, Hebrews is written to Hebrews. That is, this is an audience that is well familiar with the Old Testament. It is as if Hebrews is an unpacking of what might have been Jesus’ sermon on the road to Emmaus. Old and New come together in this book in a way that illumines them both.
When the author of Hebrews contrasts the worship at Mount Sinai with our worship it reminds us of the most glorious truth that we are lifted up into the heavenly places. It highlights the edenic nature of worship, that we are with Him, that we are unashamed, that we are His children seated at His table. Suddenly we remember that the Lord’s Table isn’t just an exercise in introspective guilt but is also an exercise of joyful assurance of our Father’s love for and adoption of us.
Hebrews is that book which in my judgment is the pinnacle of pastoral theology. All the high concepts of Romans married with all the tenderness of I John. Our minds are fed with the heartiest meat. Our spirits are fed with a tender touch.
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13: 20, 21).