Christ constitutes the very centrality of Christianity (1 Cor. 3:11).  He is the Savior and the head of the church and of every man (Matt. 1:21; Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 11:3).  He is the only one to whom all authority has been given in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28:18).  To forsake Christ was and is to profane all that is holy and spiritually (Heb. 10:29).  Such departures have repeatedly occurred and continue to the present.  The book of Hebrews deals in depth on the subject of apostasy (falling away).  It abounds and is replete with references to the danger, possibility, and reality of falling away (Heb. 2:1-3; 3:12-19; 4:1; 6:4-8; 10:25-31).  How could any one leave Christ if they realize how great He is and what he offers, seems to have been his reasoning. Here are some lessons we can learn from the opening of the book:

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Heb. 1:1-4)

Jesus Christ is prophet.  The writer states that the Father has spoken through his Son, hence, the work of a prophet (prophetes, to speak forth; to foretell).  In the presence of Moses (the great law giver) and Elias (the head of the prophets), the Father's voice redounded relative to Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him" (Matt. 17:5).  It was prophesied that a prophet would arise comparable to Moses (Deut. 18:18-19).  The apostle Peter revealed that anticipated prophet to be Christ (Acts 3:22-23).  Regarding Christ as prophet he stated, "…Every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:22-23).  Jesus met all the requirements of such a prophet (Deut. 18:18 ff).

Jesus Christ is priest.  The writer of Hebrews refers to Jesus' priesthood with the phrase, "…he had by himself purged our sins…" (Heb. 1:3).  The chief function of the Levite Priest was to offer purification for sin (Heb. 9:7; Leviticus chapters 4 & 5).  The priest's offering, however, was not such that it could provide atonement within itself (9:9-10).  "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins," the writer explains (Heb. 10:4).  It’s purpose was in view of God’s eternal purpose that was to be realized in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4, 9:11; Tit. 1:2).  Jesus' offering of himself was able to effect forgiveness (Heb. 9:12-14).  The reason was the difference in Jesus’ offering versus animal offerings.  We read in Heb. 4:15 that Jesus’ offering was without blemish (sin); "but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."  In fact, Jesus' offering (of his own blood, Matt. 26:28) was so complete that it is for all time (Heb. 9:28, "once" is correctly rendered "once for all," see Jude 3, ASV).  Jesus as high priest is presented as a "great high priest" (Heb. 4:14) because He has "passed into the heavens" and is "the Son of God".  This greatness as high priest is further seen from Heb. 4:15, where we read, "for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…".  Such could never be true of an animal!  Notice again, the reason for Jesus' understanding.  He “…was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."  No animal could thus qualify.  Jesus' high priesthood also ascends all others because he is of the order of Melchisedec (5:6; ch. 7). 

Jesus Christ is king.  In the introductory statement it was said of Jesus, "…sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (1:3).  To assume such a position is to assume regal reign; the "right hand" is emphatic of an operative reign (not just honorary).  Jesus began this reign immediately upon his ascension to heaven (Mk. 16:19).  Christ was to be "raised up…to sit on his throne" (Acts 2:30, 34-35).  Zechariah prophesied that Jesus would simultaneously be priest and king (Zech. 6:13).  Notice the language, "…he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne…."  

Jesus is now reigning as king (not future) and his reign is spiritual as opposed to political (Jn. 18:36, 1 Tim. 6:15).

In view of Jesus' greatness as prophet, priest, and king, the Hebrews should have been "not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Heb. 6:12).  What about you?