Stopping Identity Theft - Hebrews 1:4-14

The seven excerpts from Scripture that follow verse 4 develop the superiority of Jesus as God. The key to understanding this series of excerpts is not modern rules of rational non contradiction, but rather the focus of Christ’s superiority. The series subtly bears that focus begun in the introductory verses. The author corrects any tendency to link Jesus’ mediation with angelic mediation in the reader’s worship of God, concepts possibly brought in from an ancient Qumran community. This correction contributes to the main focus of Hebrews’ exhortation to remain faithful to Jesus and avoid apostasy. The book calls the reader to cast off any weight or entangling sin and to fix our eyes upon Jesus, who initiated our faith. Jesus empowers us to run the race until the day of our souls’ perfected transformation in eternity (cf. Hebrews 12:1-3).