Jesus Christ to Whom be Glory for Ever and Ever

I am moved by the clear and powerful testimony of Jesus Christ that fills the book of Hebrews. I went through the book today and found that there are direct witnesses of His suffering, His glory, and His power to save us in every chapter. Paul wrote of His power and glory in the first chapter, “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 1:2-3). In the second chapter we learn that despite His high station He came to earth to suffer: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:9-10). In the third chapter we learn that He is the great High Priest: “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” (Hebrews 3:1-2). The fourth chapter confirms that despite His glory He came to be like us and understand our pains: “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” (Hebrews 4:14-15). In the fifth chapter we learn more of how His suffering taught Him: “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” (Hebrews 5:8-9). He is the author of our salvation if we obey Him. The sixth chapter testifies that He has gone before us into heaven so that we can with hope follow Him through the figurative veil: “We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 6:18-20).

                The witnesses of Jesus continue in the second half of this book. In the seventh chapter we read of His eternal nature and power to save: “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament…. 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” (Hebrews 7:22, 24-25). The eighth chapter testifies of Him as our Mediator: “We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;… He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:1, 6). As that Mediator, He suffered for our sins as the nineth chapter declares: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Through that suffering we can be sanctified as the tenth chapter bears witness: “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20). The eleventh chapter testifies of the incredible faith that the prophets and others through the ages have had in Jesus, such as Moses who “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:26). Moses looked to Christ instead of riches and was given great power to deliver his people. The twelfth chapter invites us likewise to look to Him: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). And in a final invitation, the thirteenth chapter bears witness again of His suffering, glory, and power to perfect us: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20-21). These are only some of the many poignant witnesses of Jesus Christ given to us through this sacred book of scripture, all reminding us of His preeminence and perfection and power to lift us up unto eternal life.