Hebrews 1:1–4
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 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, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Christ is appropriately called the Word because he is the final revelation, image and voice of the Father. Christ is the elected one from all eternity to bridge the divine-human divide. The one who reconciles us to the Father.
The good news is that Christ is the one who helps us understand the fullness and heart of the Father. Some have mistakenly tried to separate the Son from the Father: either by incorrectly asserting that Christ was not divine or that Christ appeases an angry or vengeful God. But it is important to remember that they are the same substance and Jesus perfectly reflects the likeness and will of the Father. “He manifested himself by a body that we might receive a conception of the unseen Father,” declared Augustine.
Christ too fully reminds us and assures us that the will of the Father includes humanity in his eternal plan.
This passage offers an excellent overview of the offices of Christ, which include “Prophet,” “Priest” and “King.” Even more, Christ holds the world together, and everything in creation is put under his authority and dominion.
Also mentioned is the deliverance from sin through Christ, reminding us that though he was made low through his humiliation on the cross on our behalf, God has bestowed on him a seat at his right hand. Jesus receives the highest honor and is given full glory but continually advocates for us. Even more, he continues to share our human form and bear the marks of his suffering. There is never a time that Christ will not share in human form. That truly is the great news of the incarnation and God’s love for us. Christ unites us eternally to the Trinity through the incarnation.
The writer of Hebrews makes a critical claim within the passage, and that again is that Christ holds all creation together. It’s, of course, an amazing countercultural claim to so many. But it’s a principle truth of Scripture and Christian life. It’s an amazing assurance that we are included in the life of God, and he has an eternal purpose for us.
