The Lord Jesus Christ, radiance of God’s glory
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1:3-4 CSB
The author of Hebrews continues on speaking on Jesus’ deity and power as God: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature.” Jesus reflects the spotless purity of the Father, as John says about Jesus in John 1:9, “The True Light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” Jesus is the exact expression of the Father’s nature, being divine like the Father. Jesus is also continuously working the Father’s will for the world, “sustaining all things by His powerful word.” The Apostle Paul testifies to this truth as well, referring to Jesus, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” Jesus Christ, as part of the plan of the Father, also provided redemption for the world through the cross and afterwards, “making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.” After He resurrected and ascended into heaven, He is seated next to the Father, and therefore, if you are a believer, proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Now, it seems by the next verse, that the target audience of the author may have been calling Jesus Christ as an angel of the Lord. The author wanted to address this by saying that Jesus is “superior to the angels, just as the name He inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Jesus Christ is the Son of God, noting His close relationship He has with the Father, which is more than a supernatural entity that did tasks on behalf of the Father. Jesus Christ is God, who has defeated the power of sin and is in a position of ultimate authority. This season of Christmas, we should spend time to reflect on this wonderful gift. Our Savior humbled Himself and willingly entered the world as a baby, grew up and lived a perfect life, suffered and died for our sin on the cross, so that we can have access to redemption. He is now on the throne of glory next to the Father and deserves our worship.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
