Last week at looked at the first verse of Hebrews, in which the author asserts that, while in the past God spoke through the prophets, he has now spoken fully and entirely through Jesus Christ.
He then goes on to list Christ’s qualifications for the role. What makes Christ qualified to be the Lord of All. He is the “heir of all things” bestowed on him by the father. This means all things – visible and invisible, large and small, epic and mundane.
Not only will he receive all things ultimately, but he also created all things to begin with, and sustains them going forward. See John 1 and 1 Corinthians 8 for more.
Next, he is himself the radiance of the glory of God. Again, this echoes John 1.
He has exact imprint of the father, like a stamped coin or a footprint. He is the imprint of God’s character and nature. “all the fullness of deity dwells bodily” in Christ. Jesus deserves our worship.
Finally, he upholds all things by the word of his power. “Upholds” here means to bear, to carry or to bring, with the implication of bringing something to a goal or conclusion.
All this is a lot. This is why religions have, since the 1st Century when Hebrews was written, attempted to dilute Jesus. From Arians to Islam to Mormonism – or even within otherwise orthodox Christianity, who overlay Jesus over a sinful culture, whether the barbarism of slavery or the consumerism and greed of today.
This Christmas, let us remember, honor and praise Jesus for who He is.
– Sermon Notes, Mahlon Friesen, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, December 8, 2019