Welcome to My Monday Morning Cup edition of The COVID-19 Devotionals!
The unknown writer of the New Testament book Hebrews opens with a beautiful declaration exalting the supremacy of Jesus Christ. I recently spent time soaking in this passage as I prepared to memorize it for a Digitial Scriptorium hosted by my friends over at Scripture Memory Fellowship.
If you’re like me when you first heard the term, you may be wondering what in the world is a Digital Scriptorium?
Scriptorium literally means “a place for writing.” It refers to a room found in medieval European monasteries devoted to the writing, reproduction, and clarifying manuscripts handled by monastic scribes, including biblical texts. A Digital Scriptorium serves as a virtual space where people memorize, recite, and record passages of the Bible.
In preparing to memorize Hebrews 1:1-3, I felt led to do a deeper study of the opening passage of Hebrews, including verse 4. I found what I learned extremely helpful in remaining confident in my faith during this COVID-19 crisis. I’m hoping that in illuminating some truths about Jesus Christ in this post that you would be encouraged, as I was, by what I learned. In Christ, we truly have all we need.
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. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4 (NIV)
7 Truths About Jesus Christ That Promote Confidence In Him During Difficult Times
Scripture tells us repeatedly that in Christ we have everything we will ever need to meet any challenges we will ever face. This is certainly no more true than during our attempt to persevere the current COVID-19 pandemic. He is our rock, our fortress, and our shield. He is our strength, our hope, and our anchor. In the opening four verses of Hebrews, we learn the following important truths:
- God made Jesus heir of everything.
- Through Christ, God made everything.
- Through Christ, we see God’s glory.
- God revealed His nature through Jesus.
- God holds the universe together through Jesus.
- Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.
- God has given Jesus Christ ultimate authority and honor.
When life throws us an unexpected curveball, as it often likes to do, it can be tempting to abandon the path we are on and run back to the ways we once knew. The writer of Hebrews knew this to be the case for the Christians vying to persevere in their faith. Apparently, some considered returning back to their old ways and the old faith they once knew because being a Christian, particularly under the rule of the Romans, seemed unbearably difficult. The words fired in the opening volley of Hebrews reminds them of the supremacy of the One whom they called Messiah and who had shed His blood for them on the Cross at Calvary. Those same words help us as believers living in the 21st century amid a post-Christian world and at a time of increasing hostility towards those whose faith rests in Christ.
We know from our study of the Bible that God provided many revelations of Himself to Old Testament believers. God spoke has spoken to people throughout history, employing many means, including supernatural interventions and natural phenomena like storms, plagues, and other historical events.
While COVID-19 may have caught us off guard, we can trust that it didn’t catch the Lord by surprise. We also cannot discount His hand in it, certainly, in the very least, being cognizant that He is at work during this crisis drawing people to Himself and working what the enemy intended for evil for our good. Yes, good things can come out of suffering and hardships. It’s not pleasant to think about or attest to, but it is true. An honest look in the mirror testifies to that truth. You and I ventured through many valleys between our personal mountaintops.
To be sure, God initiated the pursuit of our relationship with Him. We didn’t take any step, let alone the first one. Humanity did not take the initiative to discover God. God to the first step to reveal Himself to humanity.
God’s fullest revelation to us is in the person and being of His son, Jesus Christ, fully man, fully God who lived a blameless life and died a criminal’s death on a cross on a hill called Calvary. In dying, He paid the ultimate price for our sins-our iniquities. In His resurrection, Jesus secured the gift of eternal life for all those who would believe in Him and His atoning work on our behalf.
God made Jesus heir of everything.
All things will fall under Christ’s authority. There is nothing, nor will there be anything that does not fall under Jesus’ authority. He reigns supreme over everything. Jesus Christ is currently in authority over all things.
Through Christ, God made everything.
Jesus is the agent of God’s creation. Indeed, Jesus Christ is the creator of all things. He is not a being created like you and I or the angels were created but has existed from the beginning with God because Jesus Christ is God.
Through Christ, we see God’s glory.
Radiance is what shines out from the source of the light. Through His incarnation, the world has seen a bright glimpse of God’s glory. In His transfiguration, Peter, James, and John were privy to a far greater revelation of God’s glory. In His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus radiated an even greater view of the glory of God, shining a love beyond compare.
God revealed His nature through Jesus.
Through His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ communicated the exact nature of God, whom no one has seen, to humanity. He completely demonstrated God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus fully expressed God’s mercy and grace, longsuffering, abundant goodness, and truth for all humanity to hear and see.
God holds the universe together through Jesus.
The word of Jesus Christ carries tremendous power and authority. There exists no greater force in the universe. He quietens the storm and stills the waters simply by speaking it to be so. He holds the world together, carrying it into the future, just like He made sure the disciples made it from one shore to the next. He ensures that all things stay on their appointed course and arrive at their appointed destination at their appointed time.
Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.
In act of self-sacrifice, Jesus gave Himself in our place as a sin and trespass offering on the Cross, performing His work as the ultimate priest. In purifying us, Jesus removed and cleansed us from the penalty of our sins, establishing a new relationship between God and humanity. In Christ, you and I are new creations, no longer subject to our old ways. Jesus has shown us a new way and invited us to join Him on the road leading to the Promised Land.
God has given Jesus Christ ultimate authority and honor.
Upon ascending to Heaven, Jesus took His rightful place of honor and authority next to God the Father. He sits on the throne, ruling as the Father’s right hand in Heaven. Jesus rules over the church and the angels.
These seven truths should provide you great confidence as you endure the COVID-19 crisis. We can rest assured that Jesus is at work and that He is faithful in looking out for us. Life with Christ, as we surely know, is better than any life would be without Him.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for Your revelation of Yourself to all humanity. I am grateful for Jesus and His atoning work on the Cross. Thank You for appointing Him heir of all things and for creating all things through Him. Praise You, Jesus, for You alone are an exact representation of God’ being and full expression of all that God was, is, and will always be. Jesus, thank You, for Your powerful word and sustaining everything You have created, ensuring everything happens at its appointed time. Thank You, Jesus, for purifying us from our sins and freeing us from the chains of our trespasses. We give You all the praise, honor, and glory due Your mighty name. Amen.
As I mentioned earlier in this post, I did an in-depth study of Hebrews 1:1-4 as part of my participation in Scripture Memory Fellowship’s Inaugural Digital Scriptorium for which I committed Hebrews 1:1-3 to memory. Here is a video compiling all the different verses memorized, recited, and recorded by all the various participants.
Reflection Questions:
- What is your favorite Scripture passage that you ever memorized?
- Do the words in the opening passage of Hebrews bring you comfort and give you joy?
- What songs exalting the supremacy of Jesus come to your mind when reading this passage?
- What other truths about Jesus help you remain confident that you will endure the COVID-19 crisis?
- Have you made Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life?
I pray that you are encouraged by this post. If you know someone this post might help, please feel free to share it with them. I truly appreciate the time you invested in reading my blog. Also, I love engaging with my readers through the comments that they leave. So be sure to leave a comment, share your thoughts, or give me a shout. God bless.
The Devotional Guy™
ABOUT: The Devotional Guy™ is a writing ministry of Rainer Bantau, a seasoned gospel preacher, church musician, and chaplain ministering to individuals in their workplaces, to the homeless, and wherever he meets them. He shares helps, hope, and insights on his blog, The Devotional Guy™.
Sources:
The Archaeological Study Bible (2005). Zondervan Publishing. Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The Minister’s Bible (2007). Hendrickson Bible Publishing. Peabody, Massachusetts.
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I believe that in order to experience life the way God intended, you and I must receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, God has made this gift available to all who ask.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Will you personally receive the gift of eternal life so that you can experience the total forgiveness from your sins that come through believing in the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
The Devotional Guy™ 
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