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A Guys Guide to Hebrews: The Comparison Begins (1:1-4)  We guys love to debate the greatest. For example the next time you are with a bunch of your buddies just bring up one of these topics. • Best quarterback ever: Montana, Elway, Unitas, Bradshaw, Staubach? • Mac or PC? • Beef brisket or pulled pork? • Best war movie ever made? • Better general: Patton or MacArthur? Any one of those topics and dozens more can go from friendly discussion to heated debate faster than Joe Montana could lead a winning drive (and we all know he is the answer to that question above). These debates can be a lot of fun, and they show us a couple of things about ourselves. First, we all look up to the greatest at something. Second, we love to compare things. Given this understanding about ourselves Hebrews is an ideal book for guys to sink their teeth into. All throughout the book the author compares Jesus to things that were considered great in the Old Testament. In each and every comparison Christ is clearly superior. This is not like making the case that Bill Gates is a better businessman than Warren Buffet, it is like making the case that Bill Gates is richer than the homeless man in your local shelter. That is how far ahead of everything else Jesus is. The comparison begins with angels in the first four verses of chapter one. The comparison is an easy one. The writer basically says Jesus = son, heir, savior, case closed. For anyone wanting to argue the case of the angels the discussion is already over. Before the issue can even be in doubt the superiority of Jesus is clear and the author is off to his next comparison. The superiority of Christ to angels is so superior that you just bring up the name and that settles it. Imagine you and some buddies are working at your house working on a car. Into your garage strolls a grey-haired guy who starts telling you what you should do. At first you resist, until he says, “I am Carroll Shelby.” Suddenly you realize that you are out-classed. You might know a thing or two about engines and carburetors, but this man is a legend. His very name tells you he is the superior authority because of what he has accomplished in his life. That is exactly how the superiority of Christ operates in the book of Hebrews. Staff Writer: Aaron Sharp |
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