The Supremacy of the Son
Week 1 Day 1
Hebrews 1:2-3
2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
As we begin to seriously contemplate the Lord Jesus Christ, these two verses stress seven facts concerning the Son's greatness:
First, He is the "heir of all things." "Heir" suggests both dignity and dominion. All things fall under His authority.
Second, it was through the Son that God "made the world." The Son was God's agent in creation. He created both matter and history. He is the Creator of all.
Third, the Son "is the radiance of His [God's] glory." The word translated "radiance" refers to what shines out from the source of light.
Fourth, the Son is "the exact representation of His [God's] nature." The word translated "representation" occurs only here in the New Testament. It did not express a general likeness but an exact duplication of the original.
Fifth, the Son "upholds all things by the word of His power." Jesus Christ's "word" has tremendous power and authority. It is the greatest force in the universe.
Sixth, the Son "made purification of sins." He did so by His own sacrifice and by His work as the ultimate priest. The word translated "purification" means both removal and cleansing.
Seventh, the Son "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." When He returned to heaven after His ascension, He took the choice place of honor and authority.
Each one of these seven actions points to the full deity of Jesus Christ. The original audience of the book of Hebrews were Jewish Christians. We know that these early followers of Christ were facing pressure to abandon belief in Jesus and return to Judaism, but here they received a robust reminder of His deity.
First, He is the "heir of all things." "Heir" suggests both dignity and dominion. All things fall under His authority.
Second, it was through the Son that God "made the world." The Son was God's agent in creation. He created both matter and history. He is the Creator of all.
Third, the Son "is the radiance of His [God's] glory." The word translated "radiance" refers to what shines out from the source of light.
Fourth, the Son is "the exact representation of His [God's] nature." The word translated "representation" occurs only here in the New Testament. It did not express a general likeness but an exact duplication of the original.
Fifth, the Son "upholds all things by the word of His power." Jesus Christ's "word" has tremendous power and authority. It is the greatest force in the universe.
Sixth, the Son "made purification of sins." He did so by His own sacrifice and by His work as the ultimate priest. The word translated "purification" means both removal and cleansing.
Seventh, the Son "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." When He returned to heaven after His ascension, He took the choice place of honor and authority.
Each one of these seven actions points to the full deity of Jesus Christ. The original audience of the book of Hebrews were Jewish Christians. We know that these early followers of Christ were facing pressure to abandon belief in Jesus and return to Judaism, but here they received a robust reminder of His deity.
Reflection and Prayer
Which of these aspects of Jesus' divine nature minister most deeply to you today?
What comfort does it bring?
Heavenly Father, it's impossible for me to understand all that you are. You've revealed yourself in the Lord Jesus, but I still struggle to comprehend everything that means. Thank you for sending Your divine Son, and thank you for the purification of sins that only he could make possible. Amen.
What comfort does it bring?
Heavenly Father, it's impossible for me to understand all that you are. You've revealed yourself in the Lord Jesus, but I still struggle to comprehend everything that means. Thank you for sending Your divine Son, and thank you for the purification of sins that only he could make possible. Amen.
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