Jesus is Exactly God!

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God’s Final Word: His Son

Hebrews 1:1-4 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but 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. 3 The 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. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Today, we start the epistle/letter written to the Hebrews.  Some thought Paul was the writer, but now most think it is not Paul, due to the exquisite style of Greek writing, which is doubtful that Paul could have penned.  The book itself does not attribute itself to any author, thus it remains unknown who wrote it.  But we do know the book was probably written to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  They were being persecuted for their Christian faith and were tempted to return to Judaism. This letter connects Jesus to the Jewish view of the Messiah, especially in relationship to Jesus being the "high priest" who came to offer the once and for all sacrifice for all people.
In chapter 1, we see a beautifully written 1st paragraph regarding the person of Jesus Christ. First, we see the difference between Jesus and the prophets of old.  Jesus was more than a prophet.  The first verse says about Jesus, "Through whom God made the universe." Prophets don't make universes.  Jesus is also the heir of all things.  An heir inherits the estate of his family.  Jesus, as the Son of God, is going to inherit all things at the end of time.  He will be the ruler of the universe and all things will come under his lordship.
Next, the writer says "Jesus is the exact representation of God".  This means if we look at Jesus, we will always see God.  Jesus' whole life revealed how God would live and act if we he lived among us.  Jesus was the incarnation of living God. John says in his first chapter, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  The Word is Jesus Christ.  
Finally, this first section says, "After Jesus made purifcation for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."  We can assume this mean the right hand of God the Father.  
Like the Jewish Christians the author wrote to in the first century, we can benefit from knowing who Jesus really is.  He is more than a prophet. He is more than Moses. More than Elijah. More than Muhammed. More than Buddha. More than any prophet today. He was and is the only Son of God. Fully God and fully human. This truth is just as important to us today as those first Jewish Christians.  

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