F.E. Marsh :: 30. Better

THE key word of the Epistle to the Hebrews is the term “Better.” It occurs no less than thirteen times (Heb. 1:4; Heb. 6:9; Heb. 7:7, Heb. 7:19, Heb. 7:22; Heb. 8:6; Heb. 9:23; Heb. 10:34; Heb. 11:16, Heb. 11:35, Heb. 11:40; Heb. 12:24). The word is rendered “Best” in 1 Cor. 12:31, and, as it will be seen, it means that which is of greater power and effect. It will be noticed that prophets, angels and men are placed in contrast with Christ, and as the stars pale in the presence of the sun, so all these are eclipsed by Him.

1. Christ is better than the prophets because He is The Prophet.
   1. Christ is better in His utterance, because He is the Living Word of God, and God the Word (Heb. 1:2).
   2. Christ is better in His relation to God. He is the Son of God, God the Son, and “Heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2).
   3. Christ is better in His person. The prophets were creatures. Christ is Creator: “He made the worlds” (Heb. 1:2).
   4. Christ is better in His glory. The prophets were but men; Christ is “The brightness of God's glory” (Heb. 1:3).
   5. Christ is better in His likeness to God. He is the “express image,” &c. The image of God in Him is not blurred by sin (Heb. 1:3).
   6. Christ is better in His power. The prophets were upheld: He upholds (Heb. 1:3).
   7. Christ is better in His work (Heb. 1:3). The prophets could not take away their own sins, leave alone others, but He could take away the sins of others.
   8. Christ is better in His place (Heb. 1:3). He is seated at the right hand of God: the prophets could only occupy the servant's place.
2. Christ is better than the angels.
   1. Christ is better because He is the Son, and they are servants (Heb. 1:5).
   2. Because He is the Object of the angels' worship, and they are the worshippers (Heb. 1:6).
   3. Because He rules, and they are ruled (Heb. 1:7-8).
   4. Because He is on the throne to reign, and they are before the throne to serve (Heb. 1:8-14).
3. Christ is better than the best, if we think who He is.
   • He is the Son of God: God the Son to accomplish (Heb. 1:2).
   • The Heir of all things, to occupy (Heb. 1:2).
   • The Creator, with Almighty power (Heb. 1:2).
   • The Brightness of God's glory in beauty (Heb. 1:3).
   • The Personification of God's Person in character (Heb. 1:3).
   • The Sustainer of all things in power (Heb. 1:3).
   • The Sacrifice to purge away sins (Heb. 1:3).
   • The Exalted One at the right hand of God in honour (Heb. 1:3).
   • The Object of angels' worship (Heb. 1:4).
   • The Delight of the Father (Heb. 1:5).
   • The Righteous King in rule (Heb. 1:8).
   • The One above His fellows in eminence (Heb. 1:9).
   • Unchanging One in immutability (Heb. 1:10-12).
   • Jesus in humiliation (Heb. 2:9).
   • Grace in death (Heb. 2:9).
   • The End to which all things converge (Heb. 2:10).
   • The Source of all things (Heb. 2:10).
   • The Captain of Salvation in endurance (Heb. 2:10).
   • The Sanctifier in holiness (Heb. 2:11).
   • The Brother among His brethren in adversity (Heb. 2:11).
   • The Leader in praise (Heb. 2:12).
   • The Kinsman in redemption (Heb. 2:14).
   • The Redeemer in avenging (Heb. 2:14).
   • The Deliverer in emancipation (Heb. 2:15).
   • The Merciful and Faithful High Priest to represent (Heb. 2:17).
   • The Reconciler in atonement (Heb. 2:17).
   • The Tried One in sympathy and succour (Heb. 2:18).