In the eyes of many children, there is no one greater than their parents. Parents are larger than life, strong, and capable of handling any problem. If their dad asks them to jump off a roof, they probably would. Dad would catch them. Most children also have heroes who are great in their minds. Men or women who can do anything, who can perform supernatural feats.
As great as our parents or our heroes may seem when we are young, there is a greater person. One who is the greatest of all: Jesus Christ. When we receive him as our Savior, we also receive benefits. The first four verses of Hebrews, Chapter One, tell us some of those benefits.
Our Savior Gives Us an Eternal Inheritance
True inheritances can’t be handled or even experienced with the senses.
God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe (Hebrews 1:2 NLT).
Many have the good fortune of having relatives who have been able to accumulate large sums of money or possessions. Upon their relative’s death, these items come to them by way of inheritance.
My largest inheritance was from my maternal grandfather. He was a dirt poor farmer but had nevertheless managed to accumulate a healthy nest egg. At his demise, the grandchildren were elated to discover they would receive $1,000 each. Presently, my immediate family members are dwindling quickly, and those who remain have no inheritance to leave me.
As far as I know, what I have now is all I’ll ever have, but when I die, I’ll have it all. As a follower of Christ, God assures me I’m a joint heir of his (Romans 8:17). Since the Father has given all things to the Son, I’m in line to receive everything that belongs to him.
My inheritance involves an eternal future. I’m not simply composed of matter; I have a soul. When my heart stops beating, my spirit will immediately inhabit the presence of God for eternity.
I quickly spent my grandfather’s inheritance, but my eternal inheritance can’t be disposed of. I will enjoy a perfect environment where all the effects of sin are removed. What I receive there will be free from decay and can never be stolen. No imperfections are allowed. What sin distorts on earth will be holy in heaven.
This eternal inheritance will also be shared with all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Friendships will be perfect and not tainted as earthly ones often are by jealousy, selfishness, and neglect.
The Bible further states that God will make a new heaven and a new earth. I believe he’ll restore the earth to its original condition as it was when he created it the first time. Since I’ll be like the angels in heaven, I hope to have the freedom to enjoy all the earthly beauty I didn’t get to experience during my earthly lifetime. My future inheritance is bright.
Our Savior Has Taken a Seat and Offers Us One
When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven (Hebrews 1:3 NLT).
Tim’s a good friend. So good, in fact, that when I visit him he gives me the seat of honor—his recliner. Tim’s a pastor. During the day, he is either at the church preparing his sermons or on the road visiting the sick and shut-ins. Yet when his day is over and his work is complete, he sits in his recliner—a nice large plush leather repository. My wife and I visit with him and his wife occasionally, and when we do, Tim always says, “Sit here in the nice chair.” Tim’s just that kind of guy.
Almost 2,000 years ago, Christ took a seat. He had sat there before, but at a certain point in time he got up, left his comfy seat of honor, and traded it for human flesh, a smelly stable, abuse, misunderstanding, unbelief, and finally death. Three days later, however, he got up. Forty days later, he returned to the place he’d been and sat down. His hard day at work was finished—the work of dying for humanity’s sins.
Now that Christ has taken a seat, he offers me one as well. Spiritual restlessness is parcel to humanity. I’ve experienced it myself. Only when I recognized the source was I able to calm my soul’s uneasiness. God created this void, and the something that was missing was him. When I confessed my sins, received his forgiveness, and invited Christ into my life, I too was able to sit down.
I found peace in knowing that all was well between me and my Creator. He took my unrighteousness and gave me his righteousness. When the Father looks on me, he sees me as “right.” Trying to work my way to God only leads to tired feet from continually standing. Accepting what he’s already done allows me to get off my feet and sit in the plush recliner of righteousness.
Our Savior Is Greater Than Anyone or Anything
This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their name (Hebrews 1:4 NLT).
Far back in my educational journey, I learned the symbols > and < meant greater than and less than. Knowing that in itself meant nothing, but using them to compare numbers made a little more sense. If my income was greater than my outgo, I was in the red. If my grocery bill was greater than the amount in my checking account, something would have to be put back. If my rent payment was greater than what I had left over after paying all other bills, I might eventually be evicted. Practical stuff.
In many of the early churches, false teachers taught God could only be approached through angels. Some thought Jesus was God’s highest angel. Angels shouldn’t be worshiped, nor is Jesus one of them. He is greater than angels and also any other thing I tackle.
Jesus is greater than all my fears as well as the things or people that arouse them. God hasn’t given me a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Greater is he that lives in me than anything the world can hurl my way.
Jesus is greater than all my anxieties. There are numerous things that could cause me to be anxious or worry. Rather than do that, I can present my anxieties to God and experience a peace beyond my comprehension (Philippians 4:6-7). Jesus said I wasn’t to worry because he was in control of my tomorrows (Matthew 6:34).
Jesus is greater than any problem I will face. I must trust in him with all my heart and not depend on my own understanding. When I do, he will direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Jesus is also greater than any temptation I confront. He’s promised not to allow them to become so intense that I can’t endure and conquer them with his help. There is always a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Our Savior is great. He is worthy of our worship and service.
- God is with Us When There Is Conflict (Martin Wiles’ Lessons for Youth and Children) - August 15, 2021
- Grace and God’s Choice (A Study in the Book of Romans) - August 14, 2018
- Grace and Passion for the Lost (A Study in Romans) - August 5, 2018
