It doesn’t matter if we’re talking football, basketball, or other sports, there's no consensus on who the GOAT of that particular sport is. Are we talking about American football? Perhaps it's Tom Brady on offense and Lawrence Taylor on defense. Surely the GOAT in soccer is Lionel Messi, but I’m sure someone reading this will advocate for Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s easier when we talk about basketball; everyone knows it’s Michael Jordan! The Bible also makes a claim on who the GOAT is, not just in a particular career field or sport, but as the ultimate human to ever walk the face of the earth: Jesus Christ.

All through the book of Hebrews, the author shows how Jesus is superior to every possible person or thing you could put in his place. We could summarize the book like this: Jesus is better. There is no one or nothing greater, more beautiful, or more satisfying than Jesus. This ancient sermon opens with a bang in 1:1-3 demonstrating who He is. We can outline the passage like this:

1. 1. Jesus is God’s Ultimate Revelation (v.1)
   1. a) Jesus is God’s Son (v. 2)
   2. b) Jesus is God’s King (vv.2-3)
   3. c) Jesus is God’s Prophet (v.1&3)
   4. d) Jesus is God’s Priest (v.3)
2. e) Jesus is God’s Final Revelation (3)

God’s Son: Jesus is the ultimate son, the perfect reflection of God the Father because he is the eternal Son who shares in the one divine nature. Yet, it was necessary that he took on a truly human nature, to make the invisible God visible to us, so that we might know him more completely. He is the image and glory of God.

God’s King: Jesus is the ultimate ruler because He is the creator and sustainer of all things. His reign is one of perfect righteousness, justice, and peace. 

God’s Prophet: Jesus is the ultimate prophet because He most completely reveals God’s intentions, His character, and His commands. 

God’s Priest: Jesus is the ultimate priest because when He made sacrifices He didn’t offer bulls and goats, He offered himself! Through His perfect life and sacrificial death to cover for our sins, Jesus brought the real, full, and final forgiveness of sins. Jesus gave His own life for us.

All four of these roles, offices, and relationships are important for understanding what makes Jesus the GOAT. Michael Krueger is insightful here when he says, 

“If you think of Jesus just as a savior, you start taking Him for granted. But if you realize that Jesus is also the King of the universe - if you realize that the King of the universe died for you and gave himself for you and laid aside everything for you - you are left thinking, “What king is this?” Kings don't save their enemies; they destroy them. Yet here is the Lord who has given Himself in order to purify us from our sins.” (Hebrews For You, p. 17)

We have the privilege of living in the era in which God through Christ has fully and finally spoken. We are far too easily impressed by things of this world (entertainment, sex, money, power, etc.) and so often chase them instead of Jesus. But the author of Hebrews shows us how foolish that is. Jesus is the GOAT and it is He alone who should captivate our hearts.