The Heir

The Trip Through Hebrews

I feel like taking a trip through the book of Hebrews.  It has become one of my favorite books of the Bible over the course of my journey in Christ.  When trying to understand God more or when putting my heart in submission to His divine and holy nature, I find myself gravitating toward some chapter or verse in Hebrews.  Now this book, by God's grace, will likely help me with my barrier in making devotional blog posts (I have typed up a ridiculous number of unpublished posts).  Maybe it is better described as a weight rather than a barrier.  It is one thing to write a devotional in my personal journal for my personal records.  I even write my devotional journal in pencil because I do not wish to make an indelible mark regarding my "interpretation" of scripture.  However, it is a very different and weighty matter to write an insight about the word of God which many people read and possibly trust as reasonable and truthful - perhaps resulting in an indelible mark on someone's life.  "Good" marks are for God's glory.  "Good" is the kind of impression that I hope to leave with my readers.  The reality is that I am human and fully capable of being influenced by my own thoughts.  My heart's desire is to hear from the Holy Spirit who teaches us all that we need to know as we read the Bible; but I could fail at the click of the "publish" button when I have let my own bend on scripture rule over the voice of the Holy Spirit.  This is where your part begins.  If you chose to join me on my trip through Hebrews, ask God to interpret His word for you.  Before reading the scripture passage and before reading my reflections, say a prayer for God's guidance and discernment.  I am praying that the Spirit will move you through studying Hebrews, that you will grow in your understanding of who Christ is and His power at work in you, and that you will truly live by faith.    

Hebrews 1:1-3
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Supremacy of God's Son 

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. 

 Long ago, many times, many ways... this reminds me of the parable that Jesus told in Matt. 21:33-44. He told of the vineyard owner and his tenants who mistreated and killed the owner's messengers.  The owner thought that the tenants would listen to his son, but they killed him also.  Likewise, God has sent many prophets who came before Christ's birth, were outcast by God's people, and were persecuted or murdered.  He sent a messenger to prepare the world for Christ's arrival, and he was also killed.  Finally, God sent His own Son, the very heir of all things, to show us how to live.  The ultimate penalty for our sinfulness was paid when the pure and holy Son of God died at the hands of His accusers, taking the full weight of our sins upon Himself.

  God has spoken to us through His Son so that we would hear from Him.  He wants everyone to have an opportunity to know their Creator, but only those who choose to listen will know Him.  We are so privileged that God would care to speak to a world full of rebels and we can only grasp at the edges of understanding Him.  The manifestation of God in the flesh was more than a whisper.  The coming of the Son of God for the redemption of sinful man was a loud roar.  He is a fool who would not listen and respond to God's great love.    

Verse 2 says that these are the last days.  There is a period of time, right now, that God is waiting for those who would listen and choose to know Him.  These last days are the final opportunity to be redeemed.  There is a final Day coming, the Judgment Day, when Christ will bring an end to all who continue to live in unrighteousness. But NOW there is today when you can...

Isaiah 55:6

 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near;

 This time in existence is like no other time.  God has spoken to us through His Son.  Mankind can have a relationship with his Creator.  God makes His home inside the hearts of all who believe in Christ.  This is an exciting time and a dividing time.  It is a time when true believers will be tested to show that their faith is real by standing when life is shaken.  It is a time when some will trust the truth that leads to eternal life but many will believe the deception that leads to eternal suffering and separation from God.  It is a time when true believers feel the urgency to take the message of salvation to those who live in darkness; but those who merely say they believe will remain unchanged by the word of God, deceive themselves and rest in their insecurity.

Verse 2 offers validity to the point that God has spoken through His Son by reminding us that Christ is the heir of all things.  All things means. . . all things, everything, the whole kit and caboodle.  It is humbling to consider that nothing, even our very lives, is our own.  That breath you just took isn't even yours.  It was given by Almighty God and is the very possession of Christ himself.  The only possession that we can have is that of God's Spirit which is given as a guarantee of our place in His family when we trust in Jesus for salvation.  Why must we trust in Christ and not just say we believe in God?  Because Jesus is the shining essence of the very presence of God, the exact replica of the nature of God.  If you deny the deity of Christ, you reject the very God who created you!   Jesus spoke with His disciple, Philip:

John 14:8-10

English Standard Version (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.    

We are also reminded in Hebrews 1:2 that Christ created the world.  John 1:2 says, "He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made."  And in Hebrews 1:3, "He upholds the universe by the word of his power."  My mind blows up when I consider that Jesus, creator of all things, came and dwelt in human flesh.  What thoughts must He have had as a child to "discover" what he already created with such wisdom and understanding!  Then finally, when He was crucified, His life was not taken from Him!  First, it was not taken because, being fully God and the appointed heir, He possesses all things.  He freely gave His life and offered it up because He wanted to redeem all who would believe on Him!  Secondly, His life was not taken because He completed the great work of redemption through resurrection, returning to His fleshly dwelling long enough to show His victory over death!  Praise God for His great gift to mankind!