The Essential Jesus Day 4

Who Is Jesus: What Is God Like?

PRAY: Mighty and everlasting Father, help me to feel your presence and trust your promises. Amen

READ: Hebrews 1:1-4

REFLECT: The letter to the Hebrews is really a long sermon about God’s faithfulness to his promises. It begins with a basic history lesson. How do we know who God is? Because he has spoken. In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets (Heb 1:1). In Exodus, God speaks directly to the Hebrew people when they arrive at Mount Sinai after they are brought out of slavery in Egypt. But the people are so terrified that they beg God to only talk to them through Moses (Exodus 20:18-21). From that time onward, God communicates through his prophets words of warning (law) and of promise (gospel). Thus, a prophet is one raised up by God and who is given God’s word directly. Now God is doing something different—he speaks to us directly through his Son. God speaks.  We listen.

The Son is an heir (Heb 1:2). Normally one receives an inheritance when the owner of the estate dies. But God does not die. Instead, Jesus inherits “all things” through his own death and resurrection. God’s promise to David (Psalm 2:8) is fulfilled in Jesus. As an heir, his future and ours is assured. As heir he is also the agent of creation. Through Jesus the universe was created and he also sustains all things. Through Jesus the world experiences a new birth.

The Son radiates God’s glory (Heb 1:3)—God’s splendor and majesty shines in the midst of the darkness. As sinners, we prefer the darkness. But God’s light shines forth to reveal our sinfulness.

The Son is the exact representation of God (Heb 1:3). He is like an exact imprint or engraving of the very image of God. In ancient times, an important letter was often sealed with wax and then an impression left in the wax to verify its source and reliability. In the same way, Jesus is the impression verifying who he is as the Son of God and the reliability of his words. Jesus gives us the clearest picture of who God is. He reveals God’s power, presence, and faithfulness.

The Son purifies us (Heb 1:3). Christ himself was sinless (Heb 4:15). He is our great high priest who takes away the sins of the world. We do not need to fear judgment or death. Now we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16).

The Son sits at the right hand of God (Heb 1:3). This does not literally mean God sits on a big throne and Jesus sits on a little throne next to him. To sit at the right hand is figurative language. It means that God exercises his power and authority through Jesus (Psalm 110:1).

The Son is unique (Heb 1:4). He is the definitive source of God’s Word. In fact throughout Hebrews the word superior appears 13 times! Our faith is misplaced if it rests on anyone or anything other than Jesus, the Son of God.

APPLY: What words or images would you use to describe God? Jesus? How does Jesus reveal God’s power, presence, and faithfulness? Who or what do you place your trust in?

PRAY: Lord, I find it difficult to imagine who you are for you are beyond my comprehension! Thank you for sending Jesus into the world to reveal your glory and to speak your words to my heart. Help me to hear and understand. Help me to place all my trust in Christ Jesus and not in the wealth, power and things of this world. Amen.