Hebrews 1:2 established that Christ is appointed the heir of all things as He was also the Creator of all things. This is the first of several statements by the author of Hebrews regarding Christ's authority over all existence in the spiritual and physical realms.
Let's look at the statements of Christ's authority that follow in verses 3-4.
- He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature
Christ is perfectly God. He is not missing any attribute of God's nature which would make Him any less than God, and He does not portray any additional attribute which would make Him greater than God (if that would even be possible). Christ has always existed as God has always existed. He is so exactly "God" that we need not even speak of God and Christ as separate beings. When God the Father has spoken of Christ the Son, He gives Him position of authority - "This is My Son in whom I am pleased. Hear Him." (
Mark 9:7) A little farther into Hebrews 1 we see that God calls His Son, "O God," identifying Christ's deity (
vs. 8).
- He upholds the universe by the word of his power.
He has ultimate power. The world of science has been studying God's creation since the field of science began. They understand that atoms are held together by a strong force called "nuclear glue." Hebrews 1:3 states that it is the word of Christ's power that holds everything together. Christ has the authority to hold the universe together or to allow it to collapse just by His spoken command.
- After making purification for sins....
Christ accomplished a great work by paying the full penalty for sin, which only God could accomplish. He did not pay in part, but paid the whole in order to provide for the purification of all who would believe upon Him for redemption. Nothing more need be done. To receive purification from sin, one is only required to confess his/her sin and profess faith in the work which Christ did on the cross.
- He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
He has the place of honor. To be seated at the right hand of a king is to take the place of honor and authority. The posture of sitting before a crowd is also a posture of authority. The place of kingship rightfully belongs to Christ because He is one with the Father. During his trial, Jesus said to Caiaphas the high priest, "from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matt 26:64). Once Christ's task was accomplished, His presence no longer dwelt only in bodily form on earth; but "after making purification for sins," He then took His place in the very throne room of God. This is the place where, in
Rev 5:11-14, every heavenly creature falls down and worships him who sits on the throne and the Lamb who was slain.
- Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Jesus Christ has position and title. The hierarchy of Christ who is the Creator of all things rules over angels who are created, heavenly beings. There is an inherited name for Christ (something passed from Father to Son) which denotes Christ's excellence over all beings. In fact, Rev 19:12 tells us that Christ has a name which no one knows but Himself. Are we to seek and know this name? No, we are to worship Him who is the Most High and remember our place.
Dear Father, let me look upon your Son with all the honor and authority that He deserves to have in my life. Your word has encouraged me to draw near to your throne of grace with confidence, but let not the confidence rest in myself. Let my confidence rest in You who created me and made a way for me to have peace and forgiveness through the work and redeeming power of Christ. ~Amen
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