Sporadic Thoughts

It's funny that when you read something a second time, you almost always recognize different things, understand the text differently, and see totally new implications than you did the first time around. It is, sometimes, as if you are reading a whole new book, something you've never touched before (either that or you just weren't paying attention the first time you read it). I recently re-read Hebrews 1 and I found myself being unable to concentrate because so many new thoughts were flying into my head... so, I decided not to give another rendition on Hebrews 12 but, instead, to blog on the thoughts that Hebrews 1 evoked.

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our father by the prophets” (Hebrews 1:1)

God spoke to the Big Men on Campus - the people we look up to, the initiators, the Fathers… through other people. I wonder how much those Big Men liked that… They were the ones to look up to, but God chose to talk to the prophets instead. And yet, those Fathers obeyed anyway, even though it came through someone else. They trusted others with God’s messages to them.

“But in the last days, he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Hebrews 1:2a)

Now, we all can receive messages from God straight from the Son! And we don’t even have to be the Big Men on Campus! We can just be whoever we are to receive messages from Jesus Christ…

“Whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Hebrews 1:2b)

That’s right. God talks to anyone and everyone through His very own flesh and blood (if you can call it that) who inherits everything – a.k.a. He’s the King’s Son. But I don’t understand how God created the world through Jesus…

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” (Hebrews 1:3a)

The radiance of the glory of God… I love that! In my head, not only is God so amazingly beautiful that He just shines, He is radiant – He is beaming! And Jesus is that beam; He is that exact imprint of God. This radiance of God talks to me!

“and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Heberws 1:3b)

Wow. How do I expound on that one?

“After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3c)

I love that the author of this passage talks about purification of sins so passively. I think he’s trying to make the point that Jesus really is amazing. This was a hard thing to do, no doubt, but Jesus did it – it’s done, it’s over. Jesus was victorious. Like, I feel that the author thought the best part is that because He purified sins, Jesus could sit at the right hand of the Majesty, and not just any majesty mind you, but the Majesty on High. This is a big deal! He doesn’t even mention the name of God because it doesn’t fit Him well enough… He is not just God, He is Majesty on High… Jesus is great, now see that still God is Greater. But we get to talk with Him!

“…having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,"Let all God’s angels worship him." Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire." But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." And, "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end." And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:4-13)

Who can say that He is the son of God, begotten literally from Him? Who can say that all the angels fell into reverent worship of him upon his birth and cannot stop glorifying him to this day for he is so good?? Who can say that their reign is forever and that they hold the scepter of uprightness? Who can remain when all else fades? And who can even think they can sit at the right hand of the Majesty on High but Jesus Christ? Jesus, alone, is all of this Truthfully – He really is. And this is who we have free 24/7 access to. We have no idea what kind of power we are dealing with. This is big. This is powerful. And yet, He accepts and loves us with such passion that He will never let go and will never give up on us. Of course He is worthy of my praise; of course I will worship Him with all my heart; of course I will praise Him with all my strength! Could I conceivably dare to think I could do anything else?

(Hebrews 1: English Standard Version)