Why is Jesus So Important to Christians (Hebrews 1:1-4; Hebrews 2:5-12)

Liturgy + Sermon Ideas for Hebrews 1:1-4 and Hebrews 2:5-12 can be found here:

Read “Why is Jesus Called Son of God and Son of Man?”

Introduction

Why is Jesus central to the Christian faith? That’s not just a theological question. It’s the question that touches everything—why Christians are willing to build their lives around a man whose existence, on the surface, could raise a lot of questions. Think about it—this is a man who never led an army, never wrote a book, never ran for office. Yet his influence runs deeper than any emperor, any general, any politician who’s ever lived.

Billy Graham, who reached millions with his message, captured this paradox perfectly: “Jesus had no servants, yet they called him Master. He had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. He had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world.” The world, folks.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another..

How does that happen? How does a man from a backwater town with no earthly power captivate the hearts of billions? I’ll tell you how—it’s because of the love that defined his life. This wasn’t just any love. This was sacrificial love. Jesus himself said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another.” He said it, and then he lived it, dying on a cross, the ultimate act of love. And that act, that moment, wasn’t just a flash of history—it’s living. It’s alive right now, touching hearts, and changing lives. It’s why you’re here today. It’s why we’re talking about him—2,000 years later. That, my friends, is the power of love in action.

But the cross? It’s just the beginning. Because as important as the cross is, there’s even more to why Jesus matters. We’re going to dig into that. We’re going to explore how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, how he is superior to angels, and how he is the pioneer of our salvation.

1. Jesus: God’s Ultimate Revelation (Hebrews 1:1-4)

Let’s start with the most profound claim Christians make about Jesus—he is the ultimate revelation of God. I preached on this a few weeks ago, so I will not belabor the point here. We’ve all seen the beauty of nature, haven’t we? The sunsets, the mountains, the stars. Psalm 19 says it best, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Creation itself tells us something about the Lord—majesty, order, power. 

But creation only takes us so far and can only tell us so much. It’s like going into a museum and looking at a masterpiece but never knowing the artist behind it. That’s my experience. Is that yours?

I see this brilliant painting, this genius creation hanging on the wall before me, with shapes, colors, and ideas popping off the canvas, yet I don’t know anything about the creator.

What’s the next thing I look at besides the artwork? The next thing I look at is the art label that is beside the creation which tells me about the artist. So now I see the work and I know more about the creator of the artwork. There is the creation itself and then a writing about the creator.

First, we have astonishingly creative works of art but know nothing about the creator of that work without the written text in the art label beside them. Similarly, Scripture tells us more details and knowledge about the Creator of the awe-inspiring cosmos.

Similarly, when we look at creation, we know so much! The Bible brings us closer to knowing more about the Creator. It shows us a God who isn’t just majestic but personal. A God who didn’t stay distant but entered into human history. Enter Jesus of Nazareth.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that long ago, God spoke through prophets. That’s true—Moses, Isaiah, Micah. They were the messengers. But now, we get something greater. We get Jesus.

Listen—we don’t get just another messenger, but the message itself. Hebrews says Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of God’s being.” Think about that—if you want to know what God is like, you look at Jesus. You don’t just hear about God—you see God in action.

Jesus shows us what divine love, justice, and mercy look like. When you see Jesus healing, teaching, and giving up of himself for the benefit of others, even on the cross, you see the very heart of God.

Over the next 30+ weeks, we have 3 teenagers who are going through confirmation with me. I put together a prayer and reading plan that will take them almost chronologically through the life, teaching, and miracles of Jesus. I want them to see what God is like.

That’s why Christians believe he’s not just a figure in history—he’s the key to understanding the God behind it all.

2. Jesus: Superior to the Angels (Hebrews 2:5-9)

Now let’s talk about Jesus’ position in the grand hierarchy of existence—superior to the angels. Yes, angels are powerful. They are awe-inspiring, divine messengers that show up and do God’s will on earth.

Hebrews reminds us that when he lived on earth, Jesus was made “a little lower than the angels.” But here’s the remarkable part—after his resurrection, he was exalted above them.

Rublev’s conception of the Trinity - seated and communion at a table with an open spot for you to join them.

The Incarnation (birth of Jesus) proves God loves to commune, to be with people, to help them and lift them up.

Think about this: the hierarchy starts with the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Just below that, you have angels, these mighty spiritual beings who serve God. And then, you have humanity. Psalm 8 reflects on this, saying, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them? You have made them a little lower than the angels.” But when Jesus became human, for 33 years he joined us in that lower position, experiencing life with all its pain, suffering, and limitations. At the resurrection and ascension, he is lifted up and is seated in the very presence of God.

Here is what’s moving and remarkable about Jesus. When Jesus lived among us, he didn’t just walk among the elite or powerful—he sought out the marginalized, the outcasts, the people society deemed unworthy. He broke through our distorted human hierarchy.

He knew that every life carries enormous value because they are made only “a little lower than the angels.” By lifting up those who had been cast off, Jesus wasn’t just being kind—he was making a profound statement about the worth of human life.

I realize that at times we think about the big scheme of things and we may not always feel significant, however, Jesus’ actions prove otherwise. I believe Jesus came to those who were down to lift them up and our job is to also see those who may be down to lift them up as well as we serve and love.

That’s why his teachings and example continue to shape lives today because they don’t just point us to a better way to live – they show us that every single life has value.

The one who was higher than the angels became lower than the angels to lift us up. Jesus Christ is beautiful.

3. Jesus: The Pioneer of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10-12)

Now let’s talk about why Jesus is not just central, but utterly essential to the Christian faith: He is the pioneer of our salvation. What does that mean? In the words of leadership expert John Maxwell, “A great leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” That’s exactly who Jesus is. He knows the way to live because he embodies the very principles of love, compassion, and justice. He doesn’t merely offer guidance; he personifies it.

Think about it: Jesus leads us not just by pointing to a better life but by stepping into the human experience himself. He didn’t shy away from doing God’s will when it was difficult, but embraced it, knowing it would lead to an outcome that glorified God and helped others.

His life is not only a compass for us, but a roadmap. He gives us the vision of a good life, sets our path, and gives us direction.

Jesus paved the path with his own life, showing us that this journey is not about adhering to rules or rituals (though they may have their place) but about embodying love in action.

He calls us into this relationship, urging us to not just observe from a distance but to walk alongside him.

In this way, Jesus isn’t just our guide; he’s the embodiment of the salvation we seek, a life that transcends our circumstances and connects us to God who is infinitely greater than we ever hoped or imagined.

So, when we ask why Jesus matters, it’s because he opens doors we didn’t even know existed. He creates pathways for healing, hope, and reconciliation, all while reminding us that in following him, we are part of something extraordinary—a two-thousand-year movement grounded in love and grace with a resilient determination to live with integrity and intention for the sake of others.

Conclusion

So, a man with no army, who wrote no books, and never held any position of power, has won your mind’s attention and your heart’s affection. You were won not by coercion but by love, the most influential and lasting power on earth.

As we remember that he is God’s ultimate revelation, superior to angels, and is the pioneer of our salvation, we realize that Jesus offers us more than doctrine. He invites us into a relationship that connects us to one another, to our faith, our families, to creation itself, and the revealed mystery behind it all.