Reading and Study from Hebrews 1–2
1. Refer to “Epistle to
the Hebrews” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 746–47). Read the first paragraph and the
“Analysis of Hebrews,” number 1–5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior
to. (Quotes taken from above reference.)
· Jesus is greater than death. He overcame death, and so shall we.
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| Moses Calls Aaron to the Ministry by Harry Anderson |
·
Jesus is greater than the prophets.
“
In times past” God spoke by the
prophets, but has now, “
in these last
days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by
whom also he made the worlds” (
Hebrews 1:1-3).
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| Angel Appears to Shepherds by Walter Rane |
|
·
Jesus is greater than angels.
“
He has a more excellent name, inheritance,
and higher calling. They are servants; He is the Son (1:4–2:18).
If the word of angels is important, how much ‘more earnest heed’ we ought to
give to the things spoken by the Lord (Jesus) (2:1–4).”
·
“Jesus is
greater than Moses.
"Moses was a faithful servant, but Jesus was a faithful son”
(
3:1–6).
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| Moses With Tablets by Ted Henninger |
·
The “words”
of Jesus Christ are superior to the words of Moses.
“
Israelites
while traveling through the wilderness could not enter into the promised land
because they did not believe and obey the teachings of God received through
Moses (3:7–19).
How much more important it is, therefore, to obey the words of Jesus who is
greater than Moses, if we wish to enter the heavenly land (4:1–2).”
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| Melchezedik Blesses Abram by Walter Rane |
· "Jesus, as
a high priest of Melchizedek, is superior to the high priests of the law of
Moses:
(a) Jesus was of the order of Melchizedek, which is greater than the order
of Aaron. Melchizedek was even greater than Abraham (7:1–12).
(b)
The law of the Melchizedek Priesthood (gospel) is greater than the law of the
Aaronic Priesthood (law of Moses) (5:1–7:28).
“The tabernacle service was
symbolic (or a shadow) of the real events. The high priest under the law went
through the veil into the Holy of Holies; but Jesus, the great high priest, has
gone into heaven itself (6:19–20; 9:1–14).
"The traveling of Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness, crossing over the Jordan River into the promised land, is similar to a man forsaking the worldly things, going through the wilderness of temptation, and finally passing through the veil of death into the celestial kingdom (D&C 84:21–24; see also Alma 37:38–45).”
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| Moses Parting the Red Sea by Robert Theodore Barrett |
2. Read Hebrews 1
Make a list of three truths Paul
taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.
“God . . . hath in these last days
spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom
also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, . . . sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”
(
Hebrews 1:1-3).
·
Jesus is the son of God and his heir.
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| Christ Creating the Earth by Robert Theodore Barrett |
·
Jesus Christ, is in “the express image” of the Father. When we ‘know’ Jesus we will also
be better able to ‘know’ his Father, who he is “in the express image” of, even God, the Father of all.
· Jesus Christ is the Creator of “
the Worlds” (
Hebrews 1:2-3, quote above).
Jesus became a mortal being of flesh and blood so that he
could understand perfectly every experience that every being experiences. He
became like us, so he would know how to help us in any difficulty, and be able
to rejoice with us in every happiness.
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| Pool of Bethesda by Carl Bloch |
.
He experienced all suffering, affliction, temptation, pain and sickness of man, including death. He did this without sin: he obeyed the laws and commandments of Heavenly Father perfectly. This allowed him to explicitly know the experiences each of us have in mortality, and therefore be able to extend perfect mercy and judgement for each of us.
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| Moses With the Brass Serpent by Judith A Mehr |
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved
him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful
high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of
the people.
18
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them
that are tempted.
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| Where Ever He Leads Me by Greg K. Olsen |
13 Neither is there any creature that
is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes
of him with whom we have to do.
14
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering
pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word
might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the
sicknesses of his people.
12
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which
bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels
may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to
the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
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| The Crucifixion by Carl S. Bloch |
13 Now
the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according
to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might
blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and
now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
14
Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith
if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore
come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins,
that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the
world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
15
Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily
doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go
forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and
enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto
him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
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Each Sabbath, through the sacrament, the emblems of Christ's sacrifice, we can renew our baptismal covenants
We can, with sincere repentance and righteous striving to follow the commandments, again become as pure
as the day we were baptized. We can start over, and through his long-suffering mercy, become more obedient.
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4
And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and
walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice
shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion,
because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever.
5
If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among
false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by
land or by sea;
6 If
thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall
upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and
brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from
the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although
but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my
father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do
with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be
dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the
blood of the lamb;
7
And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and
the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the
billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if
the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way;
and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after
thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and
shall be for thy good.
8 The
Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
9
Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for
their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall
not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be
with you forever and ever.
