Journal Heb 1 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: (Header: The Supremacy of God’s Son)
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
He is the radiance of the glory of God AND the exact imprint of his nature, AND he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High, having become as much superior to angels as the Name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Heb 1:1-4)
Observation: Reset: Remember who is due worship.
Analysis: Kel’s message on 9/11/22 about remembrance sparked this posting.
One of the great challenges of reading Scripture and especially the Epistles of the New Testament is to figure out or imagine what context the writers are coming from and to whom they are speaking.
There isn’t consensus of who wrote the Letter (Epistle) to the Hebrews (I lean toward Apollos because it doesn’t read like Paul, Peter, Jude, James, or John—but there isn’t any proof that I know of). As I go through Hebrews, it will be heavy with Old Testament references, therefore, the writer would have been well versed in OT scripture, practices, history, and traditions.
However, the preamble is special. It calls to remember and review.
The title to this section, added by the editors, says it accurately: The Supremacy of God’s Son—not what He has done for us, not any benefit that we have derived from His Grace (which is all about me)—but what He is.
Jesus is the:
- Voice of God
- Appointed Heir of all things.
- Creator of the world.
- Radiance of God’s Glory and
- The EXACT imprint of His nature and
- Upholds the Universe by the word of His power.
Paul writes to the church at Colossus, affirming this:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth…all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together…For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile to himself all things…making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Excerpts from Col 1:15-20)
This is the hair split that I think where struggles happen. I am to worship “Who he is” AND “What he has done”, yet it is very easy to tend toward “What he has done” and neglect “Who he is.”
The Psalmist wrote this about me (actually it was Israel, but it applies to the church today as well),
“…that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they (the children and their children) should not be like their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.” (Ps 78:6-8)
This is the reminder to remember who He is and that His attributes not only deserve but demands praise for that.
Men, heads of households, young men and women of approaching age: pay attention and declare Him to your households and circles.
Prayer: Father, I remember the evening that I hold as my conversion date; to be a believer not of effervescence and happiness, but of sober, flint-faced, determination that You and only You are deserved of my surrender.
And then the working out of sin began—and continued for the next 50 years. I am still determined to be joyfully, soberly, yours O God.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes