AIM: To elevate our perspective of JESUS so that any sense of flagging faith is renewed by a fresh understanding of the importance of JESUS
Hebrews was written to Jewish Christian, probably 2nd generation, whose parents had embraced ‘Christ’ as Messiah and so these people had inherited a faith which they were finding challenging to follow. They needed to know that Christianity was true and Christ was worth following.
Hebrews 1:3 “…..he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
There is conclusiveness about this statement. From the next verse the writer begins to make it clear how much superior this Jesus is to the angels.
Hebrews 1:13 “To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?”
These words are a direct quote from Psalm 110:1 highlighting the intention of God all along was to exalt Jesus to the highest place of all.
With these words this portrait of Jesus is complete:
• He is the pre-incarnate Word of God
• He is the creator and sustainer of the universe
• He is the perfection representation of God
• He is the great high priest and sacrifice of a new covenant
• He is the exalted ruler over all creation
John in his revelation sees this image of Jesus perfectly.
Revelation 4:10 “The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever”
Revelation 5:13 “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honour and glory and power for ever and ever!”
The Hebrew writer has in 3 short verses lifted Jesus high above those views of who Jesus was that were prevalent and becoming infectious among his readers.
What does it mean to say….”he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
IT MEANS HE IS WHO HE SAID HE IS
Hebrews 1:5 “For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father…”
At his baptism God declared the identity of Jesus….”You are my Son whom I love…”
Matthew 26:62-64 “Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
He is not just a Carpenter’s son from Nazareth, or a Rabbi of incredible wisdom. He is the eternal Son of God, creator of the universe, the unique mediator between God and man and the one who governs the creator order by the power of his Word.
Our confidence today is in the fact that this same Jesus is who he said he is. He has not changed and his desire for mankind has not changed.
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
IT MEANS HIS WORK IS COMPLETE
Hebrews 2:5-9 (READ) “….now crowned with glory and honour BECAUSE he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone…”
To sit at the Father’s side is to declare that his earthly mission was both complete and successful.
Acts 2:29-36 In his first ever sermon Peter compares David (the greatest king Israel ever had) with Jesus (the Christ) and the completeness of Christ’s work:
• God raised Jesus to life – 2:32
• God exalted him to His right hand – 2:33
• God made him both Lord and Christ (i.e. Messiah) – 2:36
The people’s response to this message of Peter was significant “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)
All that is needed for men and women to discover God and be accepted by him is still available.
IT MEANS HE HAS OVERCOME HIS ENEMIES
Hebrews 2:14-15 “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Rev 3:21 “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
Jesus sits while Satan roams. Jesus is confident in his victory while Satan works furiously in a vain attempt to thwart the eternal plans of God
Rev 17:4 “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers”
IT MEANS HE IS EXALTED ABOVE ALL ‘POWERS’
Hebrews 2:7-8 (quote from Psalm 8:4-6) “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honour and put everything under his feet.”
As he sits at the Father’s right hand he exerts his power over all creation in accordance with the Father’s will and desire.
This is not inactivity – He is ruling
Ephesians 1:19-21 “That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
Phil 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
What difference does it makes to your life and mine to acknowledge Jesus as seated at the right hand of the majesty in heaven?
Hebrews 12:2-3 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
These Jewish Christians whose faith was failing and who considered returning to their Hebraic religious roots need to bear in mind that no-one and no religious tradition or ritual will ever come close to all that they can discover and experience in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1:1-3 paint a portrait of the MAGNITUDE & MAJESTY OF JESUS that should inspire each of us to one place……a place of worship.
Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
