Hebrews 1:1-4 — The Radiance of His Glory

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature." — Hebrews 1:3

Central thought: Jesus shines God at us, and Jesus shows God to us.

Reflection: how do I 'see' him?

1. I need to hear him as revealer.

He is God's last and final word to us. In him, through him, the Almighty shouts what before has only been whispered.

The prophets who preceded him were sent by God to bring his word to his people. Jesus comes as God's Word to those who are not yet his people. Many prophets cannot add up to the sum of all he is – even though they be multiplied a thousand-fold. The fullness of the Son's word is not, cannot be and will not be exceeded. God shines through his word – always – but in the Son there is supernova.

2. I need to know him as eminence.

Heir of all things, maker of all things, upholder of all things. The Son is the hands of God. He does what God purposes. He performs what God plans. All that is owes what it is, and that it is, to the Son. And it is his inheritance – his by sovereign right as 'the Son'.

Without him, I would not be. My life, my living, with all of its wonders, everything owes him. How can I not serve him when I have and am nothing without him?

3. I need to worship him as exalted.

I can only bow before such majesty. He owns me in every respect. All that I am and have is by his 'sustaining'; only by the word of his power. He has stooped to the lowest measure of the stained world of men to bleach out our unholiness and make it clean. And only after he has done this does he rise again above all creation to take his rightful seat in that place of eminence, the throne of glory at the right hand of the Father. That throne stands on legs of grace, truth, mercy and love.

In such a royal court, who cannot, who will not bow the knee? In the presence of such a one, what words are sufficient to sound his praise, what mouth worthy? Beholding such a sight as this, we will, like the seraphim, hide our eyes – sight will seem inadequate to perceive his being.

But, wonder of wonders, it is this Son who draws us to himself, who bids us 'come'. The glory that would consume us in an instant, instead, wraps its arms around us and speaks to our souls.

In these last days, God has spoken …

… to us!