Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
In Job 7-9 we see Job
crying out what represents the cry of the Old Testament - namely the need for a
Mediator. In Job 7:17 we see Job asking
the question: "what is man that you magnify him and are concerned about
him?" This question is very similar
to the one raised by David in Psalm 8:4 "what is man that you take thought
of him and the son of man that you care for him?" For both of these Old Testament saints, the
Answer could only be found in the Person to Whom all of God's promises and
prophecies pointed - Jesus Christ.
Consider Hebrews 2:5 - "what is man that you take thought of him
and the son of man that you care for him?"
The same question raised in Hebrews 2:5 was also stated in Psalm 8:4 and
Job 7:17. With the question stated, the answer is found in Hebrews 2:9 "but
we see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely
Jesus…" Job lived 1,000 years
before David, and David lived 1,000 years before the writing of Hebrews, yet
they all asked the same question. To
such a grand question, God answered the greatest and only answer - Jesus
Christ.
As we turn to Acts 7, we see
Stephen concluding his sweeping coverage of redemptive history. Triumphantly Stephen gives his life for the
Faith. How is Stephen's death a triumph?
Plainly put - Stephen's martyrdom was God's Upper Story plan of moving His
mission forward. We know that the cloaks
of those who were stoning Stephen were laid at the feet of Saul of Tarsus - who
would be converted by grace through faith to become the mighty Apostle
Paul. Stephen's answer to his opponents
about the purpose of God in history and redemption is identical the questions
raised by Job, David and the writer of Hebrews - namely Jesus Christ.
