Hebrews 1:1-4 (Hebrews 1 on ESV.org)
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Jesus has spoken to us. To us, wow! He is not ashamed to call us, sin and all, brothers. Jesus is the speech of God. So what does God have to say? Jesus. "In these last days God has spoken to us by Jesus." I was recently reading a book that I thought was going to be solid. Sadly, the author strayed away from the Bible and starting talking about the 'prophetic' voice of God in your head and the voice of God in the church. No, Hebrews is clear! God has spoken, past tense, in Jesus. Jesus, as recorded in the Bible, is the final revelation of God to us. Can you think of anything else we really need? I can't.
"All theology is Christology and the school yard of theology is Calvary" That's tweetable right there. Jesus is the end of all things. He is the destination of all human history. Want to know the answer to life's most pressing issues? Jesus is the initiator, explanation, goal, conclusion, sustainer, answer and final communication of God on all things.
I think there is some new information about Jesus in this message and the book of Hebrews that a casual observer might miss over the years. I know I did. The points that gets me thinking more than any are these: Jesus, the man... Jesus the man lived a perfect life and thus not only fulfilled all righteousness but lived that life in my stead. Jesus the man brought the sacrifice and He was the sacrifice. Jesus the man sits at God's right hand because it is finished! These are powerful and heady thoughts that are joyously delightful to lift dark spirits during dark days.
So, if someone speaks to you what should you do? Listen! We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard; the whole point of Hebrews. When will you and I start to listen to Jesus? He has spoken, did I hear it? Am I distracted with all my 'other problems' and missing my main problem: not considering Jesus more? What an exciting time to be alive for Christ and carry His name to the nations.
Doug gave a great gift to the grammar freaks in the world. The statement that Jesus is the noun, verb and direct object was awesome. Jesus is the subject who acted, as only a savior could do, on the object which was himself. Wow! I would love to hear some comments on something else. Could Jesus also be the indirect object when He reconciled all things TO himself (Col. 1:20)? And could we also say that He did it FOR Himself (Ephesians 1:12)?
ReplyDeleteConsider the diagram... We'll quickly find out that man is nowhere in it, except that we are graciously allowed to take part in it! And remember that He is not even ashamed to call us His brothers. Thanks, Doug, for a great exposition of the passage.
*Anything you love that tends to displace your love for Christ is idolatry.
ReplyDelete*Your real problem is inadequate consideration of Jesus.
*Is Jesus the most important thing in your life? Most means most here.
*Jesus is not a thing in your life. You are a thing in His.
* Are you conscious of the total supremacy of Christ.
Very encouraging. Jesus is first, jesus is most and Jesus is worthy.
Amen.
JenAnne, having diagramed a few sentences in my life (thank you Sister Dominica), I fully appreciated your comment about man being nowhere in that diagram. What a great thought!
ReplyDeleteDoug had enough tweetable moments to bring down a Twitter server farm. The one that has my head spinning now is "Jesus is one of us". The T4B guys are covering Christology now. The mysteries concerning the incarnation are so profound, yet this application is vicerally simple. It could be a labor union slogan. He is well-acquainted with whatever confuses me. He has mastered whatever daunts me. He became one of what I am to make me like what He has become.
ReplyDeleteGive Doug props also for "All science is theology". That is obviously why theories that exclude Jesus are nonsensical. Thoughts that exclude Jesus are ridiculously pitiful.
jaw ebster makes some great points. I just finished a biography concerning Isaac Newton and he would concur that "All science is theology" and would add that studying science or mathematics is worship even. I don't remember worshiping while doing quadratic equations but Newton did. Christ is everything.
ReplyDelete