Hebrews 1:1-3
“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.”
There are a few attributes that are specifically seen in Christ that we know to be associated with God throughout the Bible. This is a great passage to show those who might deny that the Bible never claims that Jesus is God.
1. Christ IS the radiance of God’s glory – We know two facts about glory. One is that all glory that we give is to be given to God. The other fact is that the source of God’s glory can only come from God Himself. The word “radiance” does not mean a “reflection” of God’s glory (such as in Moses’ case when he met with God on Mt. Sinai), but more of an “outshining”. The glory of God is coming from within Himself.
2. Christ IS the exact representation of God’s nature – Jesus exactly represents not only the character of God, but He carries all His attributes as well. The only person who is able to have God’s exact nature and represent that to us here on earth, can only be God Himself.
3. Christ holds all things by the word of His power – Who, other than God can hold all things together just by His word?
4. Christ made the purification of sins – Who is the only one qualified to purify us from our sins? Hint: It can only be done by One who has no sin.
5. Christ sat at God’s right hand – The highest honor in a kingdom is to be sitting at the King’s right hand. This position shows that no one else is worthy of a higher honor. When Christ sat down at God’s right hand, it showed that His sacrifice for sins was finished. There is no need for further sacrifices. Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe.
These verses should encourage you in two ways:
a. To go to a friend or family member who does not believe Jesus is God. If they believe the Bible to be true, then they must agree with what God, the author of the Bible believes.
b. When you sin today…believe me, it will happen…be encouraged that every single one of your sins has been paid for on the cross. It no longer has any power over you.
“God does not forgive because He wants to be lenient with us. He forgives because His justice has been satisfied.” ~Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges (p.39)