Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “Long ago GOD spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 But now in these final days, HE has spoken to us through HIS Son. GOD promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son HE made the universe and everything in it.” ~ Hebrews 1:1-2
The book of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ not only fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament but is better than everything in the Jewish system of thought. The Jews accepted the Old Testament, but most of them rejected Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The recipients of this letter seem to have been Jewish Christians. They were well-versed in Scripture, and they professed faith in Christ. However, whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, they may have been in danger of giving up their Christian faith and returning to Judaism.
GOD used many approaches to send HIS messages to people in Old Testament times. HE spoke to Isaiah in visions (Isaiah 6), to Jacob in a dream (Genesis 28:10-22), and to Abraham and Moses personally (Genesis 18; Exodus 31:18). Jewish people familiar with these stories would not have found it hard to believe that GOD was still revealing HIS will, but it was astonishing for them to think that GOD had revealed HIMSELF by speaking through HIS Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the fulfillment and culmination of GOD’s revelation through the centuries. When we know HIM, we have all we need to be saved from our sin and to have a perfect relationship with GOD. Not only is Jesus the exact representation of GOD, but He is GOD HIMSELF – the very GOD who spoke in the Old Testament times. He is eternal; He worked with the Father in creating the world. – “He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He did not make.” – John 1:3 – “Christ is the one through whom GOD created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can not see – kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through Him for Him.” – Colossians 1:16 – He is the fulfillment of GOD. We have no clearer view of GOD than by looking at Christ. Jesus Christ is the complete expression of GOD in a human body.
“The Son reflects GOD’s own glory, and everything about Him represents GOD exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command. After He died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the Majestic GOD of heaven.” – Hebrews 1:3 – The book of Hebrews links GOD’s saving power with HIS creative power. In other words, the power that brought the universe into being and that keeps it operating is the very power that cleanses our sins. How mistaken we would be to ever think that GOD could not forgive us. No sin is too big for the Ruler of the universe to handle. HE can and will forgive us when we come to HIM through HIS Son. That Jesus “sat down” means that His work was complete. Christ’s sacrifice – for us – was final.
Thank YOU, Father GOD for the mighty power of YOUR saving grace. We know that there is no sin too big for YOU, the Ruler of the universe to handle. Thank You, Jesus for Your grace – for Your sacrifice too great for any of us to ever understand.
Photo: Sand Harbor (South Lake Tahoe Nevada)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
