Daily Word

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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1:3-4. The Greek word rendered “radiance” describes divine wisdom personified in the Jewish intertestamental book Wisdom of Solomon. But Hebrews speaks not merely of a personified divine attribute, but of a divine Person who entered history to purify sinners. The “exact imprint of his nature” expresses both the Son’s oneness with the Father and the distinction of divine persons. As One whose being corresponds exactly to the Father, the accurately reveals the Father. Christ is “the image of the invisible God,” through whom we see the Father. In the midst of history the Son’s command holds the created order in existence (“upholds the universe by the word of His power), preserving it from destruction until that day when His voice will remove all but the unshakable kingdom of God and its heirs. The “purification of sins” reminds us of the Son’s atoning death in history, the priestly act that cleanses us to worship in God’s presence. The Son’s enthronement at God’s “right hand” in heaven, promised in Ps. 110:1, reveals His superiority in two ways. At the “right hand” of the majesty of Christ is ministering in the true, heavenly sanctuary and not an earthly copy. Secondly, He “sat down” because His sacrificial work (unlike that of Levitical priests) was finished once and for all. Today take some time to read, and re-read through this, and truly see Christ in a deeper light than he is typically portrayed.