Who is Jesus?

Hebrews 1

Who is Jesus?

[1] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

1. It seems that many people today do not who Jesus is. As a result, we have a lot of confusion about spiritual things and spiritual beings.

a. Think that Jesus is another human: cannot accept His death on the cross as a means of our salvation.

b. Think that Jesus is a created being (like an “angel”): eliminates the need to acknowledge our original and personal sin. (Jesus is merely a ministering spirit” sent to help us INSTEAD of save us.)

c. Most recreantly is the belief that beings from a pre-Adamite world terrorize our present world has been revived. This denies that Jesus is God. (Jesus as creator and sustainer of this world means evil from another world is allowed to interfere here and now.)

d. Some think that Jesus became divine (“a god” of some sorts). This sets up a multiple “god” concept and raises the possibility that humans can ascend into becoming deity. (It’s an idea used in science fiction as well as cults.)

2. The “Trinity” and Jesus as explained in Hebrews 1:1 – 3.

a. God (the Father) has spoken in different ways at different times BUT NOW speaks through Jesus (the Son).

1.) Speaking is part of “being.” Humans can communicate complex ideas through speech. It is unique to the created order. It is one of the things that show the reflection of the image of God. The power to speak and name shows dominion over the created order.

“Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.” [Genesis 2:19]

2.) Speaking is part of the individual.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” [John 1:1]

***** In the Roman/Greek world, the word was considered the “soul” by the Stoics (dominate philosophy/culture). In the Jewish world it was considered the manifestation of God. [Robertson]*****

3.) Words are used to define the heart.

“The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.” {Psalm 14:1]

“Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts. Bad people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart.” [Luke 6:45 CEV]

b. God (the Father) has given Jesus rights and privileges that belong only to God the Father.

1.) PAST: Jesus is credited with the act of creation… (“…through whom also he created the world.” [v2]

2.) FUTURE: Jesus is “heir of all things” (Thus the title of Son)

***** Ancient world the heir had all the authority and ability to conduct business of the Father. *****

“All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” [Matthew 11:27]

“And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” [Matthew 28:18]

***** PARADOX ALERT: It is important to understand that “Father” and “Son” are designations to help us grasp something about God that is not possible for us to understand in the closest possible human expressions. We cannot transfer the idea totally. *****

c. Other attributes of God described as/in Jesus: [v 3]

1.) Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God.

(Ill. The light of the sun are what we see and know there is a sun that this world revolves around. Jesus is that visible expression of God the Father.)

2.) Jesus is the exact imprint of His (the Father’s) nature.

***** The word “imprint” was an engravers tool. It could also be a die that was used to stamp an impression on something. *****

***** The word “nature” is the word we get the English “character” from. In other words, Jesus is the expression of the character of God the Father. *****

***** Could be translated: “the very image of His substance.” CEV: “is like Him in every way.”*****

“Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?” [John 14:9]

3.) Jesus “upholds the universe.”

Creator and sustainer of the universe…

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” [Colossians 1:16 – 17]

4.) Jesus made “purification for sins” and “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

***** After Jesus completed His work (providing the purging of our sins), He resumed His rightful position at the right hand of the Father. *****

Please notice Jesus was NOT an avatar of God the Father BECAUSE Jesus is God in every way.

3. What does this mean for us today?

a. If you want to know God the Father, know Jesus (God the Son) BECAUSE Jesus is the ONLY visible representation (or revelation) of God the Father.

b. If you need forgiveness of sin or salvation you will find it in Jesus BECAUSE Jesus has the authority of God the Father.

c. If you need help in any way you HiHHHHHHHkjfadklsjfkl;asjklfjakflook to Jesus while depending on God the Father for that help.