JESUS, THE BRIGHTNESS OF GOD'S GLORY -- Tomorrow:
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Devotion 5 of 14
We dare not approach this declaration in a mere academic manner. Here is something faith must grasp. Properly seen, this truth will compel us to adjust our priorities. The focus of our lives will change. Here is a message that goes deeper than intellect can reach. It is more profound than worldly wisdom can grasp.
Note with care what God has said. He has spoken to us during this closing era of time "through His Son." Prior to Jesus, God did not speak to the world through the wisest and most astute of their number! He spoke only through prophets, often obscure and crude. If God did not speak through worldly spokesman before Jesus, you can be sure He does not do so in "these last days."
Those with a penchant for the worldly-wise do well to give heed to the word of the Lord! Our churches have been inundated with a flood of worldly counsel. It covers everything from physical disorders to church growth. There are people who wear the name of Jesus that have more respect for etymology, philosophy, and rules of logic than they do for the words of Jesus. Some have taken upon themselves to even tamper with the words of Jesus--all in the name of purported scholarship. They cause people to question the words of the Son, and to feel comfortable with contradicting His teaching.
Because "every knee" will bow to the Son, and "every tongue" confess that He is Lord (Rom 14:11), we do well to hear Him now. God said from heaven, "Hear ye Him!" (Matt 17:5). This is the Father's Spokesman, the exclusive Means through which He speaks to us. We do well to make much of "the Son." Contemporary views of Jesus Christ are shallow, unbecoming, and often grossly distorted. Well meaning students of religion (I speak charitably) speak of Christ's "Divinity," but rarely of His Sonship. They do not know that His Godhood is wrapped up in the term "the Son of God." The prevailing issue that faces men is whether or not Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Those who believe this overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5). Whoever confesses this dwells in God, and God in him (1 John 4:15). The person believing this "has the witness in himself" (1 John 5:10).
The book of Hebrews is said to have been written about 62 A.D. It goes without saying that our text, therefore, is not referring to Christ's earthly ministry. This is a spiritual ministry, discernible only by faith. It includes the words Jesus spoke while among us. However, Jesus has not ceased to speak. He is now "speaking from heaven" (Heb 12:25). He still teaches those who come to Him (Matt 11:28-29). When you submit yourself to the Word of God, you are not alone. Christ teaches you! He is the Spokesman from heaven. He is the exclusive Expositor of God (Matt 11:27). If the Ephesians "heard Him" and were "taught by Him" after He returned to heaven (Eph 4:21), why should it be thought strange that the same thing occurs today?
The Spirit speaks expressly on this subject, and we do well to give heed to His words. "But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. So, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice . . . " (Heb 3:6-7, NIV).
The Son of God uses means--primarily Scripture--but He is the real teacher. His name is still "Wonderful Counselor" (Isa 9:6-7). If you have an ear to hear, you will still hear Him speaking to the churches, counseling them, and tutoring those who come to Him. His perspective is the ONLY perspective! His emphasis is the ONLY emphasis! His objective is the ONLY objective! When you read His words in the Gospels, you are being introduced to the One through Whom God is speaking NOW. Listen to Him!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, I ask for a heart that is sensitive to the voice, direction, and tutelage of Your only begotten Son.