Hebrews 1:3-4

Summary retelling of Hebrews 1:3-4

Here we learn than Christ radiates God’s glory out into creation by being the source of sustenance for creation through the power of God.  Immediately after dying on the cross Jesus went to the right hand of God.  He is superior to the angels as His name is more superior to theirs. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Notice that the author of Hebrews talked about the glory of God’s work through the prophets in the prior verses.  But that glory cannot compare to the radiance of God’s work through Jesus.  There can be no doubt that Jesus is superior to the prophets.  The prophets may have pointed those who would listen towards Jesus.  But Jesus was the object of the prophets’ speech.  He was the source of salvation come into the world.  The prophets knew that the Messiah would bring salvation, but only Jesus knew how that salvation would come and only Jesus would be able to accomplish it.  As great as the work of the prophets was, Jesus is absolutely superior to the prophets.

Why do you think the author of Hebrews makes the point that Jesus is higher than the prophets?  Does that seem like a “no brainer” to you?  To whom might that not be a “no brainer?”  How often do you think about how great Jesus is?

Second Thought:

Jesus is the sustenance of creation.  The translation you use probably says that Jesus “upholds” creation, which is a fine translation.  However, the Greek word here means “to continue or sustain in the current state.”  Jesus isn’t just supporting creation on his back.  He isn’t just holding us in His hand.  He is literally sustaining us.  He is literally the spiritual life that is coursing through our souls.

What does it mean to you that Jesus sustains creation?  What does it mean personally that Jesus sustains you?  How does it change your life to believe that it is Jesus who sustains you?  How does this make you different than much of the world that does not believe that Jesus is sustaining them?

Third Thought:

Immediately Jesus ascended into heaven.  Jesus died for our sake, He was raised into new life by God the Father, and then He ascended into heaven.  If nothing else, this should demonstrate to us that He is superior to all of us.  We cannot die for the sins of another person.  When we die, we wait to be raised until Christ comes back.  We will go into the presence of God, but we will wait for that reality.  Christ got it immediately.  He was the first fruit into new life.  Jesus now sits at the right hand of God as a demonstration of His greatness.  According to what we’ve read thus far in Hebrews, Jesus is greater than anything in creation.

Do you live as though you believe that?  Do you live as though Jesus is better than anything else in creation?  How much is Jesus the center of your focus in this life?  What are the things to which you are susceptible to putting ahead of Jesus?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 1:5-7