The Scepter and Throne of Jesus
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Hebrews 1:8
This Christmas we’re considering what it means to say that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and how that reality changes everything about the way we live in relation to God. In Hebrews 1:8, the author has been talking about the relationship of the angels beneath the Son. The angels are exalted creatures who proclaim God’s word to men. But in verse 8, he draws a sharp contrast between the angels and the Son. In honor of God and His word, let’s stand for the reading of Scripture… (beginning with verse 7…)
7 In speaking of the angels [God] says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” 8 But about the Son [God] says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
[Invocation] First, notice that the Son has a throne. Jesus is the eternal King, the High King of Heaven. The throne is a symbol of sovereignty and of judgment. There will come a time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-11). Those who bow in this life will be spared from the second judgment; those who don’t bow in this life will bow in the next, but they will be bowing in condemnation. As John 3:17-18 says,
17 For God did not send his Son into the world [that’s what Christmas represents] to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Second, Hebrews 1:8 tells us there is a throne and the one who sits on the throne is God the Son: “Your throne, O God…” Jesus Christ is God, which is what makes the Christmas story so amazing. The little baby was God in the flesh. But the baby grew up into a strong and full grown man. He was God in the manger and He was God on the cross. The author of Hebrews reminds us that right now, Jesus is God on the throne. He offers Himself as a payment for your sin and to accept His offer means He rules your life completely; it means you obey Him now; His book, the Bible, is the guidebook of your life. Jesus can make this offer because He is God.
Third, the throne of Jesus is an eternal throne. It will last forever and ever. There will never be a time that Jesus loses His authority as God. He is always in sovereign control. He wasn’t elected by a popular vote and He won’t ever be voted out of office. As God, Jesus rules forever without end. That means His judgment and His grace are also eternal.
Fourth, the scepter of Jesus’ kingdom is righteousness. Righteousness is the standard by which Jesus will judge the nations. The scepter is a symbol of judgment and authority. Righteousness is the law of the Kingdom. It’s is not an easy standard; it’s a perfect standard which no one can keep apart from Jesus Christ Himself. Some people think the Christian life is difficult; but we need to say it emphatically that the Christian life is not difficult, it impossible. That’s why Jesus had to live a sinless life and die a substitutionary death on the cross. You and I cannot live the Christian life on our own! You must have Jesus and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Those who don’t come to Him while the offer is being extended, will be broken by the scepter of righteousness on the day of judgment.
Psalm 2:9 says, The Son will break the rebellious rulers of the earth with an iron scepter; He will shatter them like fragile pieces of pottery. This is a vivid image of judgment against those who rebel against the rule and reign of Jesus in this life. In light of this judgment, the Psalmist gives this invitation in the form of a final warning:
10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the Lord with reverence, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
In light of this warning, how merciful and wonderful is the invitation of Jesus to come to Him! Christmas is the time to thank God for revealing Himself to you. Thank Him for drawing you to Jesus and for giving you His word to guide your life. If you haven’t come, heed the warning and “do homage to the Son”. Jesus doesn’t need your help; you need His help. That’s the offer.
When we eat the bread and drink the cup, it is a symbol of oneness with Jesus Christ—and with all Christians until He returns. The Bible warns everyone that only committed followers of Jesus are to share this sacred ritual. There are none but sinners here this evening. But those who eat and drink are those who know their sins have been forgiven. They’ve been forgiven by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. It doesn’t mean they’re perfect yet, it just means they’re forgiven. And they are being made perfect through faith in Jesus Christ.
If you happen to be here and know that you don’t belong to Jesus, or if you are a Christian living with unconfessed sin or hardness of heart, and if you refuse to submit to Him now on His terms by denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Him, then I am commanded to solemnly warn you against taking these elements. Let them pass. No one will judge you here; it’s between you and God. But if we eat or drink the Lord’s Supper unworthily, we are eating and drinking judgment unto ourselves. And I’ll be glad to talk to anyone who has questions or doubts about their relationship with Christ. We want you to have assurance when you come to the Lord’s Supper. It is serious, but for those in Christ, it is a joyful celebration of what Jesus did for us.
We’re going to use the method of intinction; break off a chunk of bread and dip it in the cup and eat it. We’ll just form a line down the aisle so those who come may file by and then return to their seats. Now is the time. All who are willing may come. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
(c) Charles Kevin Grant
December 2003