Sunday
Sunday
Jesus the Divine Son
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.
Hebrews 1:1–2
The first two chapters of Hebrews beautifully balance each other in that chapter 1 gives us a portrait of Jesus Christ the divine Son, while chapter 2 adds a portrait of him as the human being. Hebrews 1 speaks of his uniqueness. It tells us five major truths about Christ. Firstly, Jesus Christ is the climax of God’s revelation. Of course, God had been revealing himself throughout history through the prophets, but it was in a way that was partial and progressive, whereas his self-revelation in Christ was final and complete. So Jesus Christ is God’s last word to the world. It is inconceivable that there could be a higher or fuller revelation than he has given us in his incarnate Son. No, Jesus Christ is the climax of his revelation.
Secondly, Jesus Christ is the Lord of creation. God has appointed him “heir of all things” (v. 2), since through him he had made the universe. So he is its beginning and its end, its source and its heir, and in between he is “sustaining all things by his powerful word” (v. 3).
Thirdly, Jesus Christ is the Son of the Father. He is both “the radiance of God’s glory” (light from light, one in being with the Father) and “the exact representation of his being” (distinct from the Father as an impress is distinct from the seal) (v. 3).
Fourthly, Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners. Having finished the work of purification for sins, he sat down at the Father’s right hand.
Fifthly, Jesus Christ is the object of the angels’ worship. Indeed, he has become “as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs” (v. 4). Angels are doubtless great and glorious beings, but they do not compare with Jesus Christ. The author now collects and quotes a chain of Old Testament texts that speak in different ways of his supremacy. For example, “Let all God’s angels worship him” (v. 6). The author concludes this section with a solemn warning that we must pay careful attention to the message of the apostles, lest we drift away from it (2:1–4).
For further reading: Hebrews 1:1–2:4