His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3 WEB
Paul writes his letter to the Hebrews as a testimony to the divinity of Jesus as the Messiah. In this letter, Paul teaches that Jesus is the very image of God. He is the Son of our heavenly Father sharing in every way the characteristics of God. Further, Paul backs his claim of the divinity of the Lord with robust references to scripture. In doing so, he quotes prophecy, Jewish law, and the psalms.
This letter is for Jewish readers who are already familiar with God’s holy word. Specifically, Paul writes to Jewish Christians in an effort to explain the fulfillment of God’s word by his Son, Jesus Christ. Saying that Christ is the radiance of his glory, Paul teaches that Jesus is God made manifest in the flesh in the perfect image of God.
The Light of the World
Considering the radiance of his glory, Christ says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. WEB” This is a reference to prophecy from Isaiah 60:1 which reads, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. KJV”
Jesus is the very word of God. The Lord Jesus upholds all things and created all things by the word of his power. We read in John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. WEB”
Jesus Has All Authority
Further, Christ fulfilled the law of God by living without sin. He upheld the will of God as he died for our sins on the cross, offering forgiveness to repentant sinners who trust in him. As Paul says, he purified us of our sins. John the Baptist declared of Jesus in John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! WEB”
Beyond teaching Jesus as the Son of God, the agent of creation, and our Savior, Paul states that Christ sits at the right hand of his Majesty in heaven. To sit at the right hand of a king indicates great honor and entrusted authority. After his resurrection from the grave, Jesus came to his disciples saying in Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. WEB”
As the radiance of his glory, Jesus now sits at the right hand of God. As we read of Jesus’ ascension in Mark 16:19, “So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the example of Jesus Christ. Thank you for demonstrating your righteousness in the flesh. Guide me to live by your will. Help me to live and love like you. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Teach What Is Good
