The author of Hebrews gets right to the point at the very beginning of this letter. In fact, this letter does not open with a greeting. So it reads more like a treatise; an explanation or formal argument, as it were, of who Jesus is and why we should honor Him. Our focus is found in the first two sentences, and this lays the groundwork for all that follows: “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son …” (Hebrews 1:1-2a NLT). The Son – God in flesh – will be our focus. Jesus.
We know that our author is writing primarily to those who were Jewish by birth because he refers to the prophets as “our ancestors”. Also, this makes it most likely that he is Jewish himself! He’s going to contrast the old way of hearing from God with the new way that Jesus ushered in with His coming to earth. You and I live under this new way along with these early Jewish believers. Our focus should always be on God Himself as shown in Jesus and His Spirit – the triune God we worship. Yes, we learn from each other, but God showed Himself best through His Son!
And wow-wow-wow! Don’t you love the description of Jesus? He “radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God …”. Oh what a marvelous Savior! Of course He’s mightier than angels, who were created beings honored to live in God’s Presence and serve Him and, as He directs them, even us. That in itself is astounding, to me. The descriptions of angels in the Bible leave me breathless and a little scared, quite frankly. And yet, they are but servants of the Most High. Jesus, on the other hand, is uniquely God in flesh. I can’t wait to read the rest of this chapter tomorrow!
My verse: Hebrews 1:2, “And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.”
My response: Lord Jesus, please speak to me as I read this book. Show me more of Who You Are, for You pre-existed Your birth, creating the very universe at the beginning of time. It’s hard to comprehend all of this, and yet I want to go deeper into understanding what You have for me in Hebrews.
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3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
God, I praise you for the radiance of your glory in Jesus, the Light He is to the world. Thank you for providing purification for sins through Jesus and the knowledge that He now sits at your right hand.
Praying with you, friend! I can’t begin to imagine the “radiance of His glory” when He comes again. Hallelujah!
Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word….
Response: The fact that Jesus, God’s Word, sustains the universe always stands out to me. So much that I looked up what is currently known as the strongest force in the universe, and it’s 100 trillion trillion trillion (?!) times stronger than gravity. It’s the “strong nuclear force” (not the most original name haha) that holds together the nucleus of an atom. What power! To think everything, including ourselves and all that we can see and imagine in the universe, is being held together every moment by the Word. That He sustains us implies His constant and continual desire for us as well. God is so awesome to love us even though we break His heart — so much that He also saves us from His wrath through His own suffering. Thank you Lord for being our awesome God of creation, justice, love and salvation. There is no one greater than You!
Thank you for looking that up. Just. WOW. Praising God with you! There truly is no one greater. Never has been. Never will be.
Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Lord, you are so radiant! Your radiance shines through us Lord as we work to build up your radiant body. You nourish us Lord – your Word sustains us. You sit at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven as we bow down at your feet.
Isn’t radiant a glorious word? He SHINES! He’s brilliant – Light of the world. In the new Jerusalem we will need neither sun nor moon because He will be our light! It’s beyond fathoming now … but someday we’ll see Him and understand. And worship!