April 28, 2025 | Be God's Family
The Son is the Radiance of God's Glory
Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-3(NIV)
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.
Devotional
The Epistle (letter) to the Hebrews is the most difficult New Testament book for the modern reader. The writing style is advanced and the epistle assumes the reader has a good understanding of the Old Testament. Written in the late first century A.D., it is not clear who is the author, (probably not Paul) but likely someone in the Pauline circle- a good guess is Barnabus.
Its major emphases are:
the primacy of Jesus as the new best representative of God and thus the fulfillment of the messianic expectation of the Jews to whom the author is writing.
the critical importance of remaining constant in the Christian faith.
With the Gospel of John, the epistle is one of the best interpretive theologies of the New Testament.
In the opening verses of the book of Hebrews, the writer expresses boldly his central thesis, namely that Jesus, the Messiah, is the newest and fullest revelation of the nature of God. He does so in the elegant language of a skillful and knowledgeable writer. God has long revealed Himself in multiple ways such as scripture, nature, human events and personal experience. But now in verse one, the writer emphasizes the importance of revelation through the Old Testament prophets. We gain the fuller revelation of the Incarnate One, Jesus (God come in the flesh) as the God-man who has always been with God, the Father from the foundation of the world (verse two).
Verse three also makes clear that Jesus came to purge our sins. It also states that when Jesus’ earthly mission was completed, “He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” suggesting His ongoing role of intercessor for us with the Father.
As you read these opening verses of the Book of Hebrews, compare Jesus to the Old Testament prophets.
What are some ways Jesus is superior to the prophets of the Old Testament?
What is God revealing to you about Jesus in these opening verses?
Poem
O Radiance, O Glory
Psalm 34
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:4-5
O Radiance, O Glory
Shine on me
Let me bask in your brilliance
The Light of creation
The Dawning of time
The Sunrise of resurrection
For You alone can bring life
You alone can cause the
Photosynthesis for my soul
Allowing newness
And growth
And fruitfulness
To turn my abiding branches
Into heavy laden bearers
Of who You are
O Radiance, O Glory
Shine on me
