"God...." (Hebrews 1:1a)
"God"-- whatever follows in the Book of Hebrews, we are about to learn of, "God," Who He Is, what He has done and is doing, and how you and I are included in Him and His Eternal Purposes. Now what follows in chapter one the introductory, "God," is all about God our Father speaking in Jesus the Son, communing with a lost Planet. This is the Bible 101 course, which much of contemporary Christendom would do well to to audit.
We are told that, "God...spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets." But in the appearing of Jesus Christ, all the, "various ways [God] spoke," are brought to the fore, interpreted and fulfilled in Jesus. Here is some of what we have of Jesus is this first chapter:
1. Jesus is God's Word.
2. Jesus is, "heir of all things."
3. God, "made the world," through Jesus.
4. "The brightness of God's glory, " is Jesus.'
5. "The express image of His Person," is Jesus.
6. Jesus is, "upholding all things by the word of His power."
7. Jesus, "by Himself purged our sins."
8. After accomplishing the purging of, "our sins," Jesus, "sat down at the
right hand (position of highest honor) of the Majesty on high."
9. Jesus is, "so much better than the angels."
10. Jesus has, "a more excellent name than," the angels.
11. Father says to Jesus in the hearing of the universe, "You are My son."
12. When Father introduces the Son Jesus to the world, He says,
"Let all the angels of God worship Him."
13. Father astounds the Jews and the nations of the earth by saying to Son Jesus, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteous is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness...."
14. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, New Agers, Humanists of all generations are appalled to here Father say to Jesus, "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands." (Selah.)
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for including me. Amen.
**************
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
