Studying the Book of Hebrews for the next month or so and it starts off with a powerful picture of Jesus and the excellence of who He is and what He does.
Hebrews 1:1-4
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
We see that there are seven declarations of His excellency to be found in this reading.
First, we see that Jesus is God’s heir, having been appointed the “heir of all things.” This reminds us that every single thing that exists, is the possession of Jesus. Colossians 1:16 tells us that “all things were created through Him and for Him.” None of our possessions, not even our children, are actually ours and they are not given to us for our own purposes, but to bring glory to God.
There is, however, great news in this for the future of all who have placed their faith in Christ. Romans 8:16-17 tells us that, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
The second declaration of Christ’s excellency is that He is the one through whom God made the world. The text says that “through whom also he created the world.” John 1:3 testifies to this as well, saying “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” Nothing exists that Jesus didn’t speak into existence.
Thirdly, we see that Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God.” To be the radiance of God’s glory means that the light of God is shining brightly through Him. Hebrews begins by telling us that “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” In the Old Testament days, it was only though the prophets by which God revealed Himself. But when Jesus came, we can all see His light and get a glimpse of the Glory of God through Jesus. The world we live in is a very dark place, but the light of Christ has brought hope to all of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6 reminds us of this, “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Next we see that in Christ’s very being, is the excellency of God and who He is. The text says that” He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” We’ve all heard the saying “Like father, like son.” When we look at Jesus, we see the exact representation of God, the Father. Colossians 1:15 tells us that, “He is the image of the invisible God.” Though we cannot see God, through Jesus and the revelation of him through the Bible, we can know Him and worship Him by seeing the excellency of Jesus, for Jesus is the “exact imprint [representation] of His nature.”
The fifth excellency of Christ seen in this reading, is that of His administration or His work in governing the universe. Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Not only did Jesus create this world, he keeps it running in perfect harmony. Science attests to the balance required to keep us alive. One of the plethora of things in the universe that must be, for life to exist and be sustained, is the sun and its heat. If we were just a tad bit closer to the sun, its intense heat would burn us up. If we drifted a little bit away, we would all freeze to death. Jesus is sustaining it all and he does it just as He created it, by the “word of His power.” Jesus only needs to speak, and He can create, sustain, and resurrect all life. This provides us with great comfort and is the reason, we needn’t put as much concern into the global warming thing, but instead ought to focus on living for Jesus and submitting ourselves to Him.
The sixth point of His excellency is found in His sacrifice. Jesus made the “purification for sin.” This is what separates the Old Testament from the new and the old covenant and the new covenant. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the priests of the old covenant, which had to continuously be offered, Jesus finished it all with the one sacrifice, His blood shed on the cross. Hebrews 7:27 explains that, “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” John 19:30 tells us that “when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" We can live in new life and in restored fellowship with God because Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice.
The seventh and final excellency we see of Jesus is of His exaltation. The text tells us that “He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. First of all, it is important to note that there were no seats for the priests in the tabernacle or the temple, for their work was never done. But Jesus has finished it. He sits at the right hand, which is the side that represents power. This means Jesus can rest from the work of redemption, for he settled that on the cross. But it also the place where He sits right next to our father in Heaven and intercedes for us as Romans 8:34 declares. Jesus is right now, speaking to His Father, on your behalf. Yes, you personally.
These seven aspects of the excellency of Christ give us so much hope. They are foundations for our faith. They show us why we can trust, not only our eternal destination to Him, but even our lives as we live them out on this earth.
The Book of Hebrews is a book that declares the preeminence of Christ. As we read it, we find ourselves humbled as we learn of Him and we grow closer to Him in a personal relationship. The Christian is not involved in a religion, as the world thinks we are. The Christian is in a love relationship with Jesus and we are His bride. Let us honor and worship Him for simply who He is, the radiance of the Glory of God.
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