Our Lord Jesus is proclaimed by the writer of Hebrews as “so much better” than everything else. Indeed, Jesus is higher, greater, and better than anything or anyone else in the universe. Not only is Jesus better, He is infinitely better!
Jesus is better than the prophets
The Book of Hebrews opens with these words, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1–3).
God once spoke to mankind by His prophets. But in the incarnation of Christ, God spoke by His Son, the Lord Jesus. Jesus Christ is infinitely better than all the prophets. On the Mount of Transfiguration, two Old Testament prophets, Elijah and Moses, appeared unto Christ. The disciples saw the three together! Then God the Father spoke, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Afterward, when the disciples looked up, they “saw no man, save Jesus only” (Matthew 17:5, 8). The prophets had vanished; God spoke only by the infinitely better One.
Jesus is better than the angels
“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him” (Hebrews 1:4–6, emphasis added).
The angels of God are great, powerful, and glorious. But the Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely better. He is the very Son of God, the first-begotten of the Father, and has a “more excellent name than they.”
Jesus is better than Moses
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house” (Hebrews 3:1–3).
As faithful as Moses was, Jesus is infinitely more faithful, more honorable, and worthy of more glory. Moses received the Old Covenant. Christ instituted the New Covenant: the covenant of a better priesthood, a better sanctuary, a better sacrifice, and a better promise.
Jesus is better than the Levites
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14–16).
In the remainder of Hebrews, the writer detailed the weaknesses of the Levitical priesthood. For example, it was a temporary, necessary position. The Levitical priests were required to make sacrifices in order for the people to have right standing with God. According to Hebrews 7:27, the priest had to daily “offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s.” The Levitical priesthood relied upon the blood of bulls and goats, which such blood could never take away sin. In contrast, however, the Lord Jesus is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26). His sacrifice is once, for all, and forever.
Jesus is better than Aaron
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 5:8–10).
Christ’s status as our great High Priest was not conferred by human descent from Aaron. Rather, Jesus Christ is the Son of David and a descendent of Judah. He is a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Unlike Aaron, Christ will never die; and He “abideth a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:3).
Christ’s priesthood is not limited by time or space. He is the priest of the Most High God. He is both priest and king. He is both the priest and the sacrifice. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24–25).
May God help us to give thanks for our Lord Jesus Who is infinitely better than anyone and anything in all the universe. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12–14).
