Then and Now, a Reflection on Hebrews 1:1-12

Here are some excerpts from the commentary of Hebrews and James written by Frances Taylor Gench:

"Hebrews addresses believers who have grown weary in the Christian way and who are in danger of abandoning their Christian vocation."

"....fading enthusiasm, waning commitment, dwindling church attendance, and arrested development in the Christian faith."

"God has spoken; indeed, God has never been silent. God has spoken through prophets throughout our history, and now has spoken to us by a Son"

Gench focuses on the high Christology in Hebrews: The Son was at the beginning. Through him, the world was created and continues to be sustained:

Moreover, contemplation of Hebrews' panorama will guard against a restricted vision and limited appreciation of the story of Jesus Christ....Christians who do not attend church regularly, making an appearance only at Christmas and Easter, may envision Christ only in diapers or nailed to a cross! Hebrews, however, encourages a broader perspective. It fills out the big picture, thereby laying the groundwork for a more mature understanding of the one who stands at the beginning and end of God's purposes for the world, and who makes available to us God's own life.

How do we view Christ today? Are we focusing on an infant? Do we see him only on a cross? This passage from Hebrews reminds us of other themes.

Read Psalm 98 in gratitude for what the Lord has done:

Sing to the LORD a new song because he has done wonderful things! His own strong hand and his own holy arm have won the victory! 2 The LORD has made his salvation widely known; he has revealed his righteousness in the eyes of all the nations. 3 God has remembered his loyal love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation. 4 Shout triumphantly to the LORD , all the earth! Be happy! Rejoice out loud! Sing your praises! 5 Sing your praises to the LORD with the lyre— with the lyre and the sound of music. 6 With trumpets and a horn blast, shout triumphantly before the LORD , the king! 7 Let the sea and everything in it roar; the world and all its inhabitants too. 8 Let all the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains rejoice out loud altogether 9 before the LORD because he is coming to establish justice on the earth! He will establish justice in the world rightly; he will establish justice among all people fairly. [Common English Bible]