“Long Ago”

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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.” (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)

The writer of Hebrews opens his epistle with a statement that encompasses the depth of Christ's deity. The statement shows the vine of Christ that runs through the entire Bible. It reveals Christ’s ministry, sacrifice, mission, resurrection, and ascension, all in three verses. That is quite a feat, I would say.

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.” God spoke through the prophets, all of whom spoke of the coming Savior. We see the messianic prophecies, the reflections of the coming Christ. Yet “at many times and in many ways” God revealed His plan of redemption.  In each book of the Bible, there is Jesus Christ. It may not be an analogy, a metaphor, or a reference, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news, the evangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), is present; we only need to look to see it.

“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.” In the opening prologue of the Gospel of John, we are clearly taught Christ's deity. God the Father spoke creation into being through Jesus. It is His hand that created, and He is the heir of all things. God spoke, Christ created, and we were made, listed in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain, before creation (Revelation 13:8)

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. Christ is God in the flesh, Immanuel, God with us. He is the image of the invisible Father (Colossians 1:15). He embodies the glory of God, and His nature is seen in human form. It was heard in His earthly ministry, felt through His healing hands, and His salvation experienced in our faith. His power over all things was I’m demonstrated to His apostles and to witness in the first century. He gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. He healed the leper and raised the dead. He calmed the storm and, on Mt. Tabor, stood in the doorway of heaven, transfigured and speaking with two long-gone prophets, Moses and Elijah. His power over the universe is clearly demonstrated on this earth.

After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Lastly, the writer of Hebrews reminds us of the propitiation of Christ, the act that satisfied the wrath of God against sin. Christ made “purification for sins” through the cross. It is His shed blood and death that paid for all human sin and opened the door to salvation. It is His resurrection and ascension that give us the assurance that, in His power to rise from the dead, He has the power to raise those who have placed their faith in Him as their Savior.

Three verses that reveal much about Christ. Like the prologue of the Gospel of John, the writer of Hebrews captures all that Christ is, all He has done, and His power and glory by which all things come.

Do you know Christ as your Savior? Come to Him and experience all these things for yourself, experience the one true living God.

Grace and Peace.