The opening paragraph of the Book of Hebrews tells us how we are to think about Jesus Christ by means of eight clauses.
Hebrews 1:2–4 ESV “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
The Heir of All Things
This Son is the One whom the Father appointed as Heir of all things. God has declared His pleasure in Him. He will yet receive all things with a new dignity as the Son who has both revealed God to us and redeemed us from our sins.
The Son has already been enthroned on high, yet awaits the consummation of all things. He will take possession of all things permanently, forever. This is the fulfillment of Psalms 2 and 110 which speak of the Kingship of Christ. To be the Heir of the universe is His destiny.
The Creator of the World
He is the One through whom God the Father created all things. Jesus Christ is the eternally pre-existent and co-existent Son of the Father. The Son is co-Creator with the Father.
He is the rightful Heir of all things by virtue of His being appointed to it, as the Son who pleases the Father in redemption. Also, He is the rightful Heir simply by virtue being its Creator.
The Reflector of God’s Glory
He is the “radiator” or “reflector” of God’s glory, shining forth the fullness of His glory. As the radiator of the glory of God, He Himself must be God. He must be essentially glorious as the Father Himself is.
This speaks to His oneness with the Father in eternal glory. We recall the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain with His Apostles Peter, James, and John.
The Same God but Different Person
He is the “exact imprint/representation” of God’s nature or being. He is the exact correspondence of the essence of the Father. He is fully God Himself, yet necessarily distinct from Him. They are two persons, and yet the same God.
This statement about His being the “exact imprint” is parallel to the previous one about His being the “radiance of the glory of God,” yet they do relate two different points. Passing over centuries of doctrinal development, today we commonly refer to the Son and the Father being “equal in essence and glory, yet distinct in person and office.”
The Sustainer of the Universe
He also upholds all things by His powerful word, carrying all creation along to its goal. His constant word enables creation to continue to exist.
More than that, He uses all creation for the accomplishment of all His purposes. This work of Sustainer also shows Him to be our omnipotent God.
The Purifier
He made purification for sins by self-sacrifice on the Cross, having become man, one of us, body and soul. Sin is the big problem, our big problem--its unpardonable guilt, unending shame and unbreakable power. He removed all of this and the stain of sin upon our souls as the Pure One.
This phrase is the key phrase for introducing the Book of Hebrews. This theme of purification is thoroughly developed, and the work of Christ explored and applied to our lives both now and for eternity.
The Reigning King
He sat down at the honorable and powerful position of the right hand of the Father, the Majesty on High. Jesus Christ is ruling and directing all things every day to serve His saving purposes among humanity and to benefit His Church.
In this phrase and the previous one the eternal Priesthood of Christ and eternal Kingship of Christ are brought together. We are reminded of the prophecy in Psalm 110 concerning these two roles being united in the Messiah.
The Most Excellent One
He has always been above the angels since He created them. However, during His ministry upon earth as a man He was subject to their service and care of Him. But now, after accomplishing redemption as the Son of God Incarnate His status has been renewed in a newly exalted way!
Upon His ascension into heaven, Jesus inherited the most excellent Name above all names. It is the name of “Lord” with many new facets now referencing the totality of His being and work openly revealed!
The first two chapters of the Book of Hebrews describe this most astounding event of Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Coronation in heaven--read on!
A new age was inaugurated when the Son of God appeared from glory and has now returned to glory. It is the age of final revelation and full salvation! And so it is the time of Mission. It is our age. Ponder in prayer these eight astounding clauses, and then go tell all the world about this Jesus, how to consider Him and to consider their relationship to Him!
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