JESUS, GOD’S EXALTED SON
Opening Prayer
Jesus, thank you that the great power that raised you from the dead and restored you to your throne in heaven is the same power at work in and through me.
Read HEBREWS 1:1–4
God’s Final Word: His Son
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 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. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
As we begin reading Hebrews, ask God to illumine your mind by his Spirit and open your eyes to wonderful things about Jesus in this book.
Think Further
The original readers of Hebrews were tempted to give up, so the writer introduces them to the exalted Lord Jesus. The opening words of the epistle differ from those of the other New Testament letters, in which the writer identifies himself and greets his readers. This writer begins by identifying his central concern: the exaltation of God’s Son, whom he will later identify as Jesus.1 This paragraph is a single sentence in Greek, which boils down to ‘God has spoken in his Son’ and ‘the Son has sat down at the right hand of God.’ Everything in the sentence is subordinate to that.
Since the same God who spoke to the ancestors through the prophets is now speaking in his Son, there is continuity. There is also discontinuity: his former speech was ‘partial and piecemeal;’2 his present speech ‘in these last days’ (v. 2) is final. The writer believes that the Son’s exaltation to God’s right hand signals the beginning of the last days. His exaltation is God’s final word to humanity. The messianic age has begun. The Son of God has inherited all things.
The exaltation of the Son to God’s right hand is an allusion to Psalm 110:1, originally a command to the ancient Israelite king, showing that he ruled God’s people with the power and authority of God. Here God’s Son has obeyed this command by taking his seat at God’s right hand in heaven. He rules not just ancient Israel, but the entire universe with the power and authority of God. Finally, his exaltation was ‘After he had provided purification for sins’ (v. 3). This announces another central concern of Hebrews: Jesus is the Great High Priest who has dealt with our sins once and for all.
Apply
The writer later tells his readers to fix their eyes on Jesus.3 Ask God to help you fix your eyes on him as you go about your day.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, when you ascended into heaven, my redemption was won. Thank you for continuing to intercede for me and for your gift of the Holy Spirit who teaches and guides me.
1 Heb 2:9 2 FF Bruce, The Christian Approach to the Old Testament, second edition, IVF, 1955, p9 3 Heb 12:2
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