Reflection

After reading some commentaries, I would like to expand on my previous post before I delve further into my study of Hebrews. I think it is only fair that my future posts consist of my reflections as well as academic and theological reflections. But for now, let's continue with chapter 1. 


One thing I overlooked last week in 1:1 was the idea that God spoke through the prophets and has now spoken to us through His Son. I guess I overlooked that because to me speaking is a natural and repetitive part of life. I speak...a lot. But God the Father, who reigns in Heaven as the Creator of the world, speaking? Kind of a big deal. By God's word alone the whole earth came into being, and that is hardly something to skim over. It is interesting to realize that by God speaking to the prophets in the Old Testament they could speak the words of God to His people. But because the prophets were human--fallible and finite--"God's speech was necessarily fragmentary and partial". So this makes the decision for God to send His Son as the mediator between God and man an incredible act of graciousness and love. Desiring His people to hear and know His word fully, He sent Jesus as a man but also fully God! So it is no wonder that Jesus, being the "exact representation of God would be able to sustain all things by his powerful word" (1:3). The same power and authority that is in God to create the world by His voice, is in the word of Christ. 


I mentioned last week my enthusiasm for Jesus being the "radiance of God's glory". Through study, I found that this idea of radiance means reflection...as an "unblemished mirror" or true "image". Not just radiance as the sun is radiant when it shines brightly in the sky. Jesus is not simply radiating a portion of God's glory, but he is a mirror, a true reflection of God's glory! No wonder people were healed by simply touching Jesus' robe. 


Majesty...another one of my favorite words in this text. 1:3 says Jesus "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high". In the Greek, majesty is megalasyne which translates greatness and on high represents the power and status of God as the Father of all creation. Commentators suggest the importance of giving God such a name that stems from OT references exalting God and calling Him great. I definitely learned some awesome insights and I look forward to researching and studying more of the text! 


Commentary was taken from: Hebrews: a Commentary by Luke T. Johnson and The Epistle of the Hebrews: a commentary on the Epistle of the Hebrews by Harold W. Attridge