The STAR of God's Show...

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be to him a father,
    and he shall be to me a son”?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God's angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,
    and his ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment,
12 like a robe you will roll them up,
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
    and your years will have no end.”

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1)

The makers of Star Wars saw a winner when they developed the opening words scrolling down the screen to captivate our attention: "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."  They were simply mimicing the introduction to this letter to the Hebrews. It is catchy to be sure. Just as they were introducing the setting and key actors in the plot, the writer here is introducing the setting: the world God has created, both seen and unseen. He then introduces us to the Star of God's show: His Son.  The Son is different and distinct from all others and all else, in every way superior - to the point that there is no comparison. In fact, angels, those mysterious beings who capture our imagination, are simply supporting actors in God's show. The writer then places a phrase in front of us, making us want to sit and take in the rest of the story: "those who are to inherit salvation".  May this story grasp our minds and hearts more than any other "blockbuster" we could watch or read: The Story of Christ.