Our “hidden treasures” this week comes from our weekly readings this week in the Immerse/Messiah Bible, from Hebrews 1:4, with the word κρείττων, kreitton, translated in the New Living Translation “greater than.” This phrase “greater than” appears five times in the Book of Hebrews, including twice in Hebrews 1:4.
- Hebrews 1:4. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
- Hebrews 6:16. Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding.
- Hebrews 7:7. And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.
- Hebrews 7:8. The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on.
Kreitton is an adjective of comparison, and may be translated “greater,” “better,” or “superior.”
The anonymous author of Hebrews uses this word, kreitton 12 times, as a way of comparing something lesser to something greater.
In mathematics, the symbol > stands for “greater than,” a symbol that signifies a number that is greater than another number.
What in the Book of Hebrews is greater than what?
- Hebrews 1:4. Jesus, God’s Son is greater than the angels.
- Hebrews 1:4. Jesus’ name is greater than the names of angels.
- Hebrews 7:7. The person who has power to give a blessing is greater than the person who receives the blessing. Melchizedek gives a blessing to Abraham, making Melchizedek greater than Abraham.
- Hebrews 7:19. Now we have confidence in a hope greater than the hope that came through the law, for through this greater hope, we draw near to God.
- Hebrews 7:22. Jesus guarantees the new covenant with God that is greater than the old covenant.
- Hebrews 8:6. Now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is greater than the old priesthood.
- Hebrews 8:6. Jesus is the one who mediates for us a new covenant with God that is greater than the old covenant, because it is based on better promises.
- Hebrews 9:23. The human built Tabernacle and everything in it, are copies of things in heaven, because they had to be purified by the blood of animals. The real things in heaven, in the heavenly Tabernacle are greater than the human built Tabernacle on earth, and thus they had to be purified with sacrifices greater than than the blood of animals. They were purified with the perfect blood of Jesus.
- Hebrews 10:34. You knew there were things greater than the sufferings you endured, better things waiting for you that will last forever.
- Hebrews 11:16. They were looking for a place greater than this earthly place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them.
- Hebrews 11:35. They placed their hope in a life greater than this mortal life on earth, a life after the resurrection.
- Hebrews 11:40. For God had something in mind for us, something greater than this mortal life.
Jesus is greater than the angels. Jesus’ name is greater than the names of angels. Jesus mediates a new covenant that is greater than the old covenant. Jesus’ sacrifice is greater than the old sacrifices of animals. As our great High Priest, Jesus is greater than any other high priest. God’s heavenly Tabernacle is greater than any human built place of worship. Jesus opens for us the new and life-giving way into a life that is greater than anything on in this mortal life. Our heavenly city and homeland is greater than any dwelling place here on earth. God has something in mind for us that is greater than we can imagine, greater than anything this life has to offer.
Jesus is greater than I.
Who is greater than you?
HE>i (HE is greater than i): this simple symbol, found on bumper stickers and clothing, initiated by the HE>i Company of Hawaii, represents a profound truth of the Bible. We are not the center of the universe. There is Someone who is greater than I. When we humble our hearts, and profess this simple truth, HE>i (HE is greater than i), we are lifted up by that Someone, and he makes us greater than what we were, placing within our hearts a hope that is greater than any hope to be found from the world around us.