The Exalted Christ

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Business meeting this Wednesday at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall

Fellowship Meal next Wednesday at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall

Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Pray

God Used to Speak through Prophets...

Hebrews 1:1 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

Man has never been totally without a word from God, but God’s word to us has been limited throughout the years. It’s limited by us - we are unable to hear all of God’s word to us all at once. So God spoke in fragments - small bits of progressive revelation where God shows us just a little at a time. That’s the picture of that phrase “at many times.” Not only did God speak often, but he broke it down into bite-size pieces so that we can get it. But God had to do that. We could only get it that way. If God had told us everything all at once, it would have been too much for us. So he spoke a little at a time.

God also spoke in a variety of ways - that’s the picture of the phrase “in many ways.” God doesn’t just give us bite-size revelations, he also gives us a variety box. Just like a box of chocolates with varied flavors, God speaks in multiple ways. He uses visions, declarations, dramatic actions by the prophets, fire from heaven, a bush on fire but not burning, a parted Red Sea, a fleece covered in dew on dry ground, and that same fleece dry as a bone on a dew-soaked ground. God gives us his message in so many ways that one of them is bound to register with us.

God has spoken to us in spite of our limitations. And that doesn’t even account for the limitations of the prophets themselves. The prophets were mere men too, with their own limitations. They were sinners just like all of us, and where not always obedient to God. Even when they were obedient, sometimes followed God’s commands by the letter but not by his Spirit.

We need another way to hear from God than just through prophets. We need a way that is limited neither by his spokesmen’s abilities to convey God’s message, nor by our ability to receive it. Long ago, God used to speak to us through his prophets,

But Now God Speaks to Us through His Exalted Son

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is that better way. Rather than just speak through someone, God came to earth and brought his message himself - in the person of Jesus Christ.

Think of the ramifications of that…this child lying in a manger is God himself, come to save humanity. This isn’t another “get the word out” method like God had done before. This is a chance to meet God face-to-face, a chance to know him personally and directly.

So when we look to the manger, to the stable where Jesus was born, we find not only a precious child, but we find our way to know God. We find God in a frail body, bundled in swaddling cloths. We find our exalted Lord.

And who is this exalted Christ? The writer of Hebrews, whomever it is, shows us in such elegant language throughout this passage. Jesus is...

The Prophet of God’s People

We need a better kind of prophet - one who can bring us God’s message fully. Jesus is our perfect Prophet.

Hebrews 1:2 ESV

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

When all others are limited and when all other methods leave us lacking in knowledge of God, Jesus perfectly shows us God’s character and teaches us his ways. We’ll read throughout Hebrews how Jesus is our perfect prophet - better than the angels in heaven, better than Moses, and even better than the Law that God gave to Moses. Jesus is the Prophet of God’s people. He is also

The Heir of God’s Dominion

In Genesis, God gave Adam dominion over the earth, but in his sin Adam forfeited his place as God’s agent of dominion. But our last Adam, Jesus Christ, is able to rule God’s kingdom in righteousness. He is the heir of all things.

Hebrews 1:2 ESV

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

And he’s not the heir by happen-stance. There wasn’t a celestial game of rolling the dice to see who would rule over Creation. There was no tournament of champions to determine who deserved to be the heir. Jesus Christ is, always has been, and always will be the Father’s chosen one. He is the appointed heir, and there is no other. Third, Jesus Christ is

The Radiance of God’s Glory

When we gaze at Jesus Christ, we see God’s glory in human form. We see the divine beauty up close, and we cannot help but be drawn to him.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 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,

The only way you can describe the light of God shining into the darkness of our sin-infested world is by that word “radiance.” Imagine never seeing the sunshine, ever in your life. Then having your eyes opened and you’re starring directly at the sun. The brilliance would be too much - it would be too bright. When we look at Christ, we see God’s glory in full luminescence, and it is a sight to behold! Jesus Christ is also

The Image of God’s Nature

Jesus Christ is the radiance of God’s glory because he is also a perfect image of God’s own character.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 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,

We hear image and we naturally think of something that helps us see something else. We think of a photocopy or a facsimile - something that might be like the item, but not exactly that thing. That’s not what this word is. This word is more like a wax seal. The liquid wax fills every crevasse of the ring or seal and it recreates the form. That’s why the ESV uses the word “imprint.” Jesus Christ is not a “picture” of God. He is God - completely and perfectly putting the infinite, immortal, invisible God into a form we can know and see and hear.

So Jesus is the prophet of God’s people, the heir of God’s dominion, the radiance of God’s glory, and the image of God’s nature. Oh, but he’s even more. He is also

The Preserver of God’s World

Often we think of God as Creator, but we often forget that God sustains the world too. Without God’s grace, this universe would have fallen apart ages ago. And the same Son of God who was involved in the Father’s creative work is also paramount in his work preserving his Creation.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 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,

The same one who created the world by his word also maintains it by that same word. Think of the majesty of God, who created hay and straw, donkey and sheep, stars and galaxies, sustaining them by merely declaring it. Now picture that same God who sustains the plants that give hay and straw as a baby laying in that hay and straw. That same God who provides for the donkey and sheep is the one borrowing a feeding trough for a bed. That same God who sustains the brilliance of stars and the motion of galaxies now sleeps, cries, and lives below them. No wonder Paul says he humbled himself when God became man! This child is not only our maker, but is also our sustainer. Glory to God in the Highest!

Jesus is also

The Purifier of God’s Church

Jesus did not come to merely be born. He came to bring to completion God’s redemptive work. He came to save us from our sins. And he did everything needed to bring us to the Father pure and blameless.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 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,

This is an interesting verb for making. It’s in what’s called middle voice. In middle voice the subject does the action to itself. So Jesus is said here to make purification for sins in such a way that he gets the benefit. He’s purifying our sins for his own glory. God says throughout Isaiah that he will forgive his people and restore them for his own name’s sake. Jesus purifies us from our sins for his own sake too.

Jesus is furthermore

The Occupier of God’s Right Hand

Because he is all these things, and since he has perfectly purified his people by his death and resurrection, Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father:

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 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,

Sitting down - that’s the position you take when you’re done. A servant doesn’t rest until his work is done. And to sit at the right hand is to be in the place of honor - the place of the most trusted, most loyal, most loved. Jesus Christ sits at the Father’s right hand, victorious over sin and death and hell.

That makes Jesus

The Superior of God’s Host

There is no other who is as high and exalted as Christ himself!

Hebrews 1:4 ESV

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The writer of Hebrews has told us that Jesus is superior to all the prophets. But he’s also superior to all the hosts of heaven too. He is exalted over all! None other is as lifted up as Jesus, so only Jesus is qualified to be

The Bearer of God’s Name

Hebrews 1:4 ESV

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Jesus Christ Is

The Prophet of God’s People

The Heir of God’s Dominion

The Radiance of God’s Glory

The Image of God’s Nature

The Preserver of God’s World

The Purifier of God’s Church

The Occupier of God’s Right Hand

The Superior of God’s Host

The Bearer of God’s Name

But is he your Lord?