"In these last days, God has spoken to us through His Son . . . " Hebrews 1:1-2

The Spirit begins to shape our thinking by focusing on the Father's attitude toward the Son. This is a foundational view, and is essential to the apprehension of salvation. What we think of Jesus is of little consequence if He is not honored by the Father. That is not as elementary as it may seem. Jesus spoke on this subject, and did so with the greatest sobriety. "All things have been handed over to me by my Father . . . " (Matt 11:27a, NRSV). "The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands" (John 3:35, NRSV). "The Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing . . . " (John 5:20, NRSV). "The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son . . . " (John 5:22). "For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself . . . " (John 5:26, NRSV). " . . . the Son of Man will give you. For it is on Him that God the Father has set His seal" (John 6:27, NRSV). " . . . the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world . . . " (John 10:36, NRSV).

Loving the Son, the Father has placed everything in His hand. Nothing--absolutely nothing--can be received from God that is not dispensed by Jesus! The Father has divulged His eternal purpose to the Son. Nothing, therefore, can be known concerning what God is doing that is not administered by the Lord Jesus Christ! The Father has also given the Son to have life in Himself; i.e., to be a life-giver! "Life," in this case, means a vital relationship with God. This is not possible without the Son of God. There is no identity with the living God apart from "fellowship" with the Son (1 Cor 1:9). You cannot make too much of the Father's attitude toward the Son. Your salvation depends upon the relationship of the Father to the Son. Remember, the Son is representing you. If the Father does not receive and honor Him, He will not receive or honor you! Do not take this truth for granted. Your mind is to dwell upon it. Take it into your heart and ponder it, for faith must have this perspective! A self-serving view of the Son will not sustain you. He must be seen as God's Son--One that is highly honored and favored! As "the Son," He is implementing the will of the Father, not the will of humanity. Enough is not being made these days of the Father's relationship to the Son.

Now the Spirit begins a remarkable comparison of the Son of God to the angelic order. His purpose is not to provide us with an academic comparison. His words bear directly upon our salvation. Our present and ultimate deliverance depend upon the ministry of Jesus Christ. It will require more than powerful angels to bring us home to God! There are an innumerable company of angels, sent to minister to the heirs of salvation--but more is needed than that to enable us to arrive safely in glory! Mighty archangels cannot "bring us to God!" Nor, indeed, can the six-winged Seraphim or the faithful Cherubim. Only the Son can do that!

-- More on this tomorrow --