Go! And Behold The Radiance Of Christ - Hebrews 1:3 Series

Go! And Behold the Radiance of Christ - Hebrews 1:3

Introduction:

Today we gather to immerse ourselves in the profound depths of God's Word, focusing on a verse that unveils the majesty and supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Turn with me to Hebrews 1:3 (NLT):

"The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven."

This single verse is a treasure trove of divine revelation, presenting Christ as the radiant glory of God, the exact representation of His being, the sustainer of all things, the purifier of our sins, and the exalted one at God's right hand.

Today, we will explore these five profound truths:

Christ Radiates God's Glory

Christ Expresses God's Character

Christ Sustains Everything by His Command

Christ Cleansed Us from Our Sins

Christ Is Exalted at God's Right Hand

May the Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts as we delve into these divine truths.

1. Christ Radiates God's Glory

The author of Hebrews declares, "The Son radiates God’s own glory." The Greek word for "radiates" is "apaugasma" (?pa??asµa), meaning "brightness" or "effulgence." This signifies that Jesus is not merely reflecting God's glory like a mirror, but He is the very emanation of that glory—the source itself.

John 1:14 (NLT): "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

The term "Word" refers to Jesus, who became flesh and dwelt among us. The disciples witnessed His glory firsthand—a glory that is intrinsic to His nature as the Son of God. This calls us to behold Christ, for in Him, we see the unveiled glory of the Father.

Consider the sun and its rays. The sun's rays are not separate from the sun but are the means by which its light and warmth are experienced. Similarly, Jesus is the radiance of God's glory, making the invisible God known to us.

Rick Warren once said, "God’s glory is best seen in Jesus Christ. He, the Light of the World, illuminates God’s nature."

What a profound and glorious truth! Rick Warren beautifully captures the heart of what we proclaim.

When we look at Jesus—when we see His compassion, His holiness, His love, His authority—we are seeing the very nature of God put on display. As Hebrews 1:3 (NLT) declares, “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God…” Jesus doesn’t just reflect God's glory—He radiates it! He is not just a mirror; He is the source.

That’s why the Apostle John writes in John 1:14 (NLT), “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory...” God’s glory isn't hidden—it’s revealed in Christ!

So when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we’re not merely learning about God—we are encountering God. He, the Light of the World, breaks into the darkness of our world and our hearts, and shows us who God really is.

2. Christ Expresses God's Character

The verse continues, stating that Jesus "expresses the very character of God." The Greek phrase here is "charakter tes hypostaseos autou" (?a?a?t?? t?? ?p?st?se?? a?t??). The word "charakter" refers to an exact imprint or representation, and "hypostasis" denotes essence or nature. Thus, Jesus is the exact imprint of God's very essence.

Colossians 1:15 (NLT): "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation."

Jesus makes the unseen God visible. To know Christ is to know God. Therefore, our pursuit of understanding God's character must center on Jesus, who embodies God's attributes perfectly.

In ancient times, a king's seal was pressed into wax to authenticate documents. The imprint left was an exact representation of the seal. Likewise, Jesus is the exact representation of God's being, revealing His nature to us.

John Owen wrote, "By beholding the glory of Christ by faith we shall find rest to our souls."

John Owen’s words strike a powerful and necessary chord for every believer. In a world that is constantly striving, constantly searching, constantly unsettled—there is rest, true rest, found not in religion, not in rituals, not in our own efforts, but in beholding Christ. When by faith we look to Jesus—not just glance, but gaze—we are transformed, comforted, and anchored. The more we behold His glory, the less this world controls us. The more we focus on Him, the more peace floods our hearts.

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) says, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”