Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God

One of my favorite things I’ve ever experienced happened a few years ago in Washington, D.C. We were in town one evening and happened to come across a bookstore, which was also a coffee shop, which was also a community theatre. They also made incredible cookies. It was a jack-of-all-trades business, for sure.

That same evening, a “slam poetry” event was taking place in the community theatre. The small room was packed with people listening to others take their talents to the stage, grab the microphone, and mesmerize the audience with their lyrics. It was as if every word was calculated, making sure each phrase by the speaker was met with an appropriate “OHHHHH!” It was one of the most incredible events I’ve ever attended.

The writer of Hebrews decides to dedicate the first chapter of this letter to what is, in my opinion, an early Church slam poem. The subject? Jesus. The purpose? To show His greatness above all things, even the angels.

Take a second to read through the first few verses of Hebrews 1 again. What do you see? What is the first slam of this slam poem in Hebrews? We can find it in verse 2: “But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”

This statement, made by the writer of Hebrews, has a massive impact, especially on the writer’s intended audience: the Jewish people. Hebrews all over the world had grown accustomed to reading the prophets, learning the stories of the prophets, and even experiencing prophets in their own day and age. But the writer of Hebrews says Jesus isn’t just another prophet. He is far greater than just Israel's Next Top Prophet. Instead, Jesus has revealed something no prophet ever could. Jesus didn’t just have a message from God; He was the message from God. (John 1:1)

The writer of Hebrews doesn’t end his slam poem there, though. He goes on to say that not only is Jesus better than the prophets, He’s better than the angels!

As we look at Scripture, we see two ways that Jesus is superior. First, He is superior because He is eternally God the Son. He has no beginning and no end, He is the One in whom everything was created, and He sustains all things. Second, He became better than the angels in another way: God the Son took on human form and made his dwelling among us. He is better because even though He had everything, He set aside the privileges of being God and chose to live a human life and die a human death on the cross. (Phil 2:5-10). He rose again from the grave, and, as a result, He has perfected the Way to the Father (John 14:6). Jesus has once and for all proven through His Love for us that He is the Better Word, the Better Way, the Better Life.

Now THAT’S something to write some slam poetry about!

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence

Reflection:

• What are the things you love the most? Is it travel? Money? Relationships? Take some time today to think about them. Write them down in a notebook somewhere. Then, out beside those things, write this down on every line: “Jesus, you are BETTER.”
• Why did Jesus have to become human? How does this put him above and make him better than even the angels, the most heavenly of beings?
• Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your great Love for me. You didn’t have to leave Your throne, but You did. You gave your life to that I could gain new life. Now, You are given the Name that is above every Name. You are greater than the angels. You are greater than the things I love the most. You have full reign over my heart and life. I trust You.

Family Devo: Hebrews 1

By: Nichole McCardle

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.  

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset 

Head

Today, we will begin the Book of Hebrews in Chapter 1. Verses 1-4 begin by explaining who Jesus is and what He has done. These verses explain that God has spoken to us through Jesus. Jesus is the Creator and Heir to all things, He sustains all things, and then He saved us from our sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty of Heaven. As you will find out in the Bible Reading Plan over the next couple of weeks, the Book of Hebrews is all about how Jesus is greater than all the heroes of the faith. He is greater than anything. Greater than Moses, greater than Joshua, greater than any priest, and as you will read in Chapter 1 today, greater than the angels. Angels serve many important roles throughout the Bible, but none more important than the role of Jesus! Because Jesus is greater than anyone else and anything else, we should remain faithful to Him. His greatness is not only relevant in Hebrews, and not only relevant today, but His greatness and majesty will last forever and ever! Jesus is above all things, and He remains forever!

Heart

What is your biggest fear? Your heaviest burden? I am here to tell you, that your fears and worries may be big, but Jesus is bigger! Put Jesus first in your life, give your worries and fears to Jesus, and allow Him to show you how big He is!

Hands

Take a few minutes today to go outside and look around at God’s creation. Notice the warmth of the sunshine, the clouds in the sky, the breeze on your skin, the birds flying, and the grass beneath your feet. Reflect on our reading from today and really think about how great our Heavenly Father is!

Prayer: God, You are mighty and big and wonderful and amazing. I love You so much. I pray there is an opportunity for me to tell someone how wonderful and mighty You are. Amen.