The Son: The Excellent, Final Word

Introduction

VII. The Mediator

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law; suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.

PRAY

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.

Before the Son, revelation was partial, shaded and preparatory (1)

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets

Various times – in many portions, in bits and pieces, Abraham received some, Moses some, David some, Isaiah some, etc…

Various ways – in many manners; internal suggestions, audible voices, visions and dreams

Fathers by the Prophets

1 Peter 1:10–12 ESV

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

The Son is the full, substantial and final revelation of God (2a)

Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son

The writer of Hebrews is saying that the revelation of the Son if God changes everything.

Last days – After Christ (AD)

Us – the writer and reader of the letter and us by virtue of the letters providential preservation by God

By His Son – One who is a Son

Matthew 17:5 ESV

5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

The Son is the rightful heir of everything (2b)

Whom He has appointed heir of all things

Heir - literally, one receiving an allotted portion heir; figuratively, in a religious sense, one receiving what God has promised. It is the receiving of something that is rightfully his.

Psalm 2:8 ESV

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

The Son cooperatively brought all things into existence (2c)

Through whom also He made the worlds

John 1:3 ESV

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The Son possesses God’s essential splendor (3a)

Who being the brightness of His glory

Brightness – radiance, effulgence or the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light, the outraying, light from light (Nicene Creed)

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 ESV

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Son is divine in his person (3b)

And the express image of His person

Express image – impression, Exact representation; though veiled in flesh

His person – Of God’s person, of his substance

John 14:8–11 ESV

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

The Son brings the divine before us at once perfectly and definitively.

The Son sustains all things in creation (3c)

And upholding all things by the word of His power

Upholding – maintaining, support

Word of his power -

Colossians 1:17 ESV

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

The Son made a satisfying sacrifice for sin (3d)

When He had by Himself purged our sins sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

He had in his own person made the purification for our sin. I believe this refers to the removal of sin in its condemnation. This, of course, is the foundation for and produces the actually cleansing from sin by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

The priest of the old covenant never sat down in the temple because their work was never finished. The sacrifices were only the reminder of sin and were impotent to atone for sin. However, Christ has been seated because his work has been completed and he reigns victorious over our sins for us. Christ took his seat.

Psalm 110:1–4 ESV

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” 2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

The Son has a supreme designation (4)

Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they (4)

Better - superior, better, higher in rank

Name - as a designation for God or Jesus Christ as he is revealed through all his attributes, majesty, and perfections

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Brother and sisters in Christ, is this enough to mold our stubborn wills into obedience? Is it enough to move our emotions to elation? Is this enough melt our hard hearts into worship? I say with the saints and the angels that see him clearly now, it is more than enough!! Be reminded of the Son.