According to the dictionary, something “great” happens when an event rises above what is normal or average. Jews in the first century certainly had a context for greatness. God’s deliverance of them from slavery in Egypt ranked as the greatest example of God’s salvation in their history (Deuteronomy 26:5-9). That is why it is celebrated every year at Passover.

So when the writer of the letter to the Hebrews referred to salvation as “great,” he was speaking to people who knew what that meant. And the salvation provided through Christ was even greater than deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Deliverance from Egypt was temporal while Christ’s salvation is eternal. Deliverance from slavery in Egypt was not as great as deliverance from the penalty of sin. Deliverance by means of the blood of a lamb was not as great as deliverance by the blood of the Lamb of God, God’s Son.

Thank God today for His greatest gift: salvation through the gift of His Son.

To God be the glory, great things He has done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son.

Fanny Crosby