Hebrews 1:1-4

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Centrality and Superiority of Jesus Christ

At the very beginning of the Epistle to the Hebrews, the writer of this epistle makes a stunning announcement. He announces that while God had formerly chosen to reveal himself through his prophets, he now has chosen to reveal himself through Jesus Christ. This is stunning news indeed, with big implications for those who at that time considered themselves to be God’s chosen people, the Jewish people.

What it meant for them is that in order for them to know God and his will for their lives, they must now look primarily to Jesus Christ and not to the prophets of old (e.g. Moses, Isaiah, Micah, etc.). After all, Jesus Christ and only Jesus Christ is, as the writer of Hebrews points out, the “radiance of God’s glory” and the “exact representation” of God’s being, the one “appointed heir of all things” and the one through whom God “made the universe.” In other words, if you want to know God, the writer of Hebrews is telling his Jewish readers, you must know Jesus Christ – it is through him that God is ultimately and perfectly revealed. He is central to true faith and superior to all other beings.

During this season of Lent, I invite us all to contemplate and embrace the centrality and superiority of Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus Christ we come to know the love, mercy, justice, and peace of God, and it is in Jesus Christ we experience and enjoy his salvation. What a gift to us – what a gift to this world!

Prayer: God our heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ you have spoken to us, revealing to us who you are and what your will is for our lives. Through your Holy Spirit, give us the power to embrace him in faith and follow him in love and obedience. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.