Saturday in the Word | Hebrews 1:3-4

This week marks the FINAL WEEK of the art exhibition I’ve been doing with my Mom since June. Hard to believe how time has flown and how gracious and supportive people have been that came to experience the exhibition. I’ve really been blessed to see God move through my work and reach people through it.

We closed out the exhibition with two events:

I was truly glad Terri was able to drive down with me a couple of weeks ago to see the exhibition.

As we continue our exploration of Hebrews from last week, we delve deeper into the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

In this passage, the unknown writer offers up a profound declaration concerning the identity and nature of Jesus Christ. He describes Jesus as the radiance of God’s glory, and that He fully embodies and reveals God’s divine nature.

The phrase radiance of God’s glory, communicates a deep theological truth about the relationship between Jesus Christ, the Son, and God, the Father.

To help us understand this profound idea, let us ponder a few key points:

1. Manifestation of God’s Nature: Just as light radiates from a source, Jesus radiates the very essence and nature of God. He embodies God’s glory in a way that makes the invisible God visible. In the Gospel of John 14:9, Jesus states, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” affirming that His life and character reveal the fullness of God.
2. Divine Glory: The term glory signifies the honor, splendor, and majesty of God. Jesus, as the radiance of God’s glory, reflects all of these attributes perfectly. In John 1:14, it says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.“
3. Interconnectedness with Creation and Salvation: The radiance of God’s glory implies that through Jesus, the world around us becomes illuminated with His truth and purpose. Christ lights the way. As believers, we know Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love and power, especially as demonstrated in His work of salvation, where He purifies our sins and restores our relationship with God.
4. Inspiring Worship: Understanding Jesus as the radiance of God’s glory invites us to worship Him, recognizing His divine nature. It encourages believers to glorify God through Christ, as He is the ultimate revelation of who God is, worthy of our reverence and adoration.

In essence, Jesus being the radiance of God’s glory means that He is the perfect reflection of God’s character and attributes, enabling us to encounter and know God personally.

Furthermore, the passage emphasizes Christ’s role in creation and His authority. By stating Jesus sustains all things by his powerful word, the writer highlights the power and authority of Jesus in both the spiritual and physical realms.

Lastly, these verses point to Christ’s ascension and exaltation after completing His work of purification for our sins. His sitting down at the right hand of God signifies His position of honor and authority, portraying Jesus as being superior to the angels, and thus, embracing His unique divine sonship.

When we read and meditate on these opening verses of Hebrews, written by an unknown writer who was inspired by the Holy Spirit, we discover a great source of comfort and assurance in the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ.

The concept of the Doctrine of Sufficiency, while not explicitly named in the Bible, emphasizes that Jesus Christ is sufficient for all our needs—spiritual, emotional, and physical. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Apostle Paul wrote, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Paul’s words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, highlight that God’s grace provides what we need in our weaknesses and that we can rely on Him entirely during whatever situation or circumstance we encounter in life.

Likewise, the Doctrine of Supremacy, reveals that the supremacy of Christ reigns over all creation. In his letter to the Christians in Colossae, the Apostle Paul states, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17) Paul instructed them, and taught us, to see Jesus as the ultimate authority over all of Creation because everything exists for Him and by Him.

Why It Matters

These doctrines matter greatly because they shape our understanding of who Christ is and how we relate to Him in our daily lives.

1. Jesus as OurSource of Comfort and Strength: Recognizing Christ’s sufficiency allows us to find solace in times of trouble. This assurance helps us to trust Him in various circumstances, knowing He is adequate for every challenge we face.
2. Jesus as Our Foundation for Faith and Worship: Understanding the supremacy of Christ is fundamental to our faith. It is a perspective that leads us to place our hope in Him as our sovereign Lord and as the ONE who rules over all, strengthening our worship and devotion in the process.
3. Christ as Our Encouragement in Dependency: Acknowledging our dependence on Christ’s sufficiency helps us to cultivate humility and reliance on God rather than our own strength, encouraging us to seek God’s guidance and rely on His provision.
4. Christ’s Impact on Mission and Service: Recognizing Christ’s supremacy compels us to share the good news with others. Scripture encourages us to take part in the Great Commission because we serve a powerful and sovereign Savior.

When we grasp these particular doctrines, our faith is deepened, our lives are transformed, and we are empowered to fulfill our God-given purpose in a way that glorifies Him. I happen to think that’s pretty darn cool.

What are your thoughts about this beautiful passage of Scripture and these doctrines undergirding our faith in Christ?

Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.

Hey NEW SUBSCRIBER! I see you.

Until my next post…

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

Guy™

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