There’s No One Better
By Christopher L. Scott
Moses Lake, Washington
I grew up in a small town and there weren’t a lot of things for kids to do. One of the activities my Dad signed me up for was karate. He had been going for a few months and enjoyed it because of the good exercise, character building, and peace of mind that he could defend himself.
My Dad taught me an important lesson while I was in karate: there’s always someone better than you. In karate, you might work hard to advance up the levels and earn higher “degrees” of belts (green, orange, black, etc.). However, a core teaching of karate is humility and respect because no matter how good you think you are, there is always someone out there better than you. In other words, there’s always someone else that can hurt you and defeat you.
But when it comes to Christ, He is the best. There is no one better, more perfect, or more amazing. No one can claim to be God-like Him. There is no one better than Jesus.
The author of Hebrews tells us that God “spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways” (Hebrews 1:1, NASB). The fathers that He’s talking about here are the revered and respected forefathers of the Israelites of the Old Testament. The prophets describe the many parts of Israel’s history such as their laws, institutions, ceremonies, kings, judges, and priests. Bible teacher and author J. Vernon McGee comments on Hebrews 1:1-2, “Christ is superior to all the Old Testament writers, because the revelation is filled up in Him. He fulfills all of the Old Testament, and He Himself gives God’s final word to man.”
The author continues saying that Christ is the “heir of all things . . . made the world” and is the “radiance” of God’s “glory and the exact representation of His nature” that He “upholds all things by the word of His power” and that Christ “made purification of sins” (Hebrews 1:2-3).
Just like I was taught in karate, there is always someone better, and He is Christ!
The author of Hebrews finishes his opening remarks of his letter saying that Jesus is “much better than the angels” (Hebrews 1:4). The author begins this argument that Jesus is “better than” and continues throughout the rest of the thirteen chapters of this magnificent book. Hebrews describes how Jesus is better than the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-4), the angels (Hebrews 1:5-2:18), Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6), Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-3), the priests (Hebrews 9:1-10), and the Old Testament legendary saints (Hebrews 11:3-40).
Like my Dad taught me many years ago, there is always someone better. But when it comes to our Christian faith, no one is better than Jesus.
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Christopher L. Scott, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, is a pastor and freelance writer. Christopher L. Scott writes from Exeter, CA. Learn more about his writing ministry at ChristopherLynnScott.com.
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