Consider the words of Hebrews 1:1-2: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” Going back to the Old Testament, God spoke to the nation of Israel through His prophets. Prophets were messengers of God. God communicated to the prophets the message that He wanted the nation of Israel to hear. Then, the prophets would proclaim God’s message to the people of Israel. God spoke with the prophets at various times and in various ways, such as dreams, visions, or symbols. Sometimes, God would speak to the prophets directly.
There is a contrast in Hebrews 1:1-2 between how God communicated “long ago” versus how God communicates “in these last days.” Long ago, God spoke to Israel through the prophets, but in these last days, God speaks to us by His Son. The same God who revealed Himself throughout the Old Testament to the prophets at many times and in many ways, now reveals Himself quite differently. No longer does God reveal Himself through dreams, visions, or symbols. No longer does God speak directly to His people through the mouth of a human prophet. In these last days, in the last dispensation of time, God speaks to humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus? According to this section of Scripture, Jesus is God’s spokesman. If we want to hear what God has to say, we must listen to Jesus. If we want to know God’s will for our lives, we must read and study the words of Jesus. Jesus claims for Himself exactly what the Hebrews writer teaches us in the first two verses of his letter. In John 7:16, Jesus says, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.” Similarly, in John 12:49, Jesus states, “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”
Jesus being God’s spokesman is so powerfully illustrated in Matthew 17:1-5. This is the story where Jesus was gloriously transfigured on a mountain in front of Peter, James, and John. They witnessed Jesus standing with Moses, representing the Old Testament Law, and Elijah, representing the Old Testament prophets. Peter, not knowing what to say and wanting to prolong this scene, suggested a scenario that would place Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on an equal level. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and they heard the voice of God from heaven say, “This My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” No longer were they to listen to the Old Testament Law as their absolute authority, represented by Moses. No longer were they to listen to the Old Testament prophets as their absolute authority, represented by Elijah. They were to listen to Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is God’s spokesman. If we want to hear the voice of God, we must listen to the voice of Jesus.
The words of Jesus have been accurately recorded in the New Testament. We can hear the words of Jesus directly from His mouth and from the mouths of His inspired apostles and prophets (John 14:25-26). When we listen to Jesus’ words, as recorded in Scripture, we are able to learn God’s will for our lives.
-Tyler Alverson
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