In the first four verses of this epistle, the writer describes Jesus as being pre-eminent in every way, both in his Personhood and in His ministry on behalf of humans.

1]. Jesus Revealed God’s Will To Humans. [1:1-2]
Heb 1:1 “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.”
The writer reminds Jewish readers that God has revealed Himself and His will through many prophets over a long period of time. But in the last days [meaning with the coming of Jesus Christ into the world] He has spoken through Jesus His Son.
St John recorded the words of Jesus when He said, “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.” John 14:10. Jesus was saying that the words He spoke and the works He did, originated with the Father, not Himself. God the Father was speaking and acting through His Son.

2]. Jesus Is The Inheritor Of All That Is. [1:2]
“whom he appointed the heir of all things.” The whole universe belongs to Jesus according to His will. St Paul taught, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17. Though there are many who resist the plan and purpose of God, Jesus will ultimately have sovereign power over the whole universe. It is His and ultimately only His will, will be done in the universe.

3]. Jesus Is The Creator Of The Universe. [1:2]
“through whom also he created the world.” As Colossians 1:16 above says, He created everything. St John wrote in his prologue, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3). The whole universe and everything in it owes its origin to Him.

4]. Jesus Manifests The Glory Of God. [1:3]
Heb 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God.“ Radiance is [apaugasma; ἀπαύγασμα] from a compound [apo; ἀπό] meaning off or from and [augazō; αὐγάζω] meaning to beam or shine forth. St John in his gospel wrote of the coming of Jesus into the world, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. When we read the gospels it seems that Jesus’ deity was very much veiled during His life but the disciples were privileged to see God’s glory resting on Him at His transfiguration. St Peter wrote, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18.

5]. Jesus Fully Expresses the Character And Nature of God. [1:3]
“and the exact imprint of his nature.” The term “exact imprint” is [charaktēr; χαρακτήρ] means an impress, an exact expression. Jesus is the exact expression of the Father. As Jesus said of Himself, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9. “Nature” is [hypostasis; ὑπόστασις ] meaning setting under, essence, or person, substance. Jesus is the very essence of the Father, nothing less.

6]. Jesus Sustains The Universe. [1:3]
“and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. “
His word of power brought the whole universe into being. He now sustains and upholds it by that same word of power. “He’s got the whole world in His hands” as we used to sing.

7]. Jesus Made Purification from Sin Available To All Humans. [1:3-4]
“After making purification for sins.” The writer now declares something about what Jesus has done. “Purification” is from [katharismos; καθαρισμός] meaning a cleansing, or purging. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by His sacrifice of Himself on the cross. We will see that this is a major part of this epistle and that the whole purpose of God in bringing forgiveness to humans would be through that single sacrifice for sin Jesus offered on the cross, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.“ Hebrews 10:12-14.

8]. Jesus Sits At The Right Hand Of God in heaven. [1:3-4]
“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.”
It is significant that Jesus, having made purification for sin, sat down at the right hand of God. Significant because the priests’ work was never completed. They had to stand daily offering sacrifices that could never take away sin. This is taken up later in Hebrews in these terms, “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:11-12. The work of redemption was complete. Sin had been atoned for. Through Christ’s sacrifice believers have access into the kingdom of God. Or as St Paul wrote, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Ephesians 1:7-8.

This is great news for those who believe. The most significant person in the universe offered the most significant sacrifice for sin to bring us back into a right relationship with God. This is God’s amazing grace being extended to sinful humanity. It cannot be ignored for there is no other way to be forgiven by God. He is offering us forgiveness of all our sins and a new life, if we put our trust in Christ.

But it is bad news for those who refuse to believe. When you ignore Jesus of Nazareth you are ignoring the One who created the world, who keeps it going, and who died the death to free us from our sins. It is the sin of not trusting in who Jesus is and in the significance of what He has done for us. Jesus warned that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict the unbelieving world of its sin of unbelief, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me.” John16:8-9.

It is easy to believe in Jesus. All that is involved is repentance of our sin and faith in Jesus. The ABCD prayer I prayed 65 years ago as I committed my life to Christ was something like this, “Lord I Admit that I am a sinner in Your sight. I Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to take away my sins. I Consider the cost of becoming a Christian. I know it costs me nothing but it cost Jesus His life. I know I have to Do something to invite Jesus to be my Saviour from sin and so I invite You Lord Jesus into my life to be my Saviour from sin and to be the Lord and Master of every moment of my life from this time forward, for evermore. Thank You Lord Jesus for coming into my life. AMEN!” Why not pray a similar prayer right now?
Blog No.511. Posted on Saturday 06 January 2024.