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.”
Friends, peace comes not from the absence of trouble but from the presence of Christ. When we see Him clearly by faith, we rest fully in His finished work, His constant intercession, and His eternal reign. Let us fix our gaze on His glory—and find the rest our souls truly long for.
3. Christ Sustains Everything by His Command
Hebrews 1:3 also reveals that Jesus "sustains everything by the mighty power of his command." The Greek word "phero" (f???) means to carry or uphold. Christ is actively upholding the universe, ensuring its order and existence.
Colossians 1:17 (NLT): "He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together."
Not only is Jesus the creator, but He is also the sustainer. Every breath we take, every beat of our hearts, is under His sovereign care. This truth calls us to trust in His providence and sovereignty in our daily lives.
Imagine a conductor leading an orchestra, ensuring each instrument plays in harmony. Without the conductor, chaos ensues. Similarly, without Christ sustaining the universe, all would fall into disorder.
R.C. Sproul noted, "We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because He holds tightly to us."
R.C. Sproul’s words remind us of the powerful truth of our salvation—it is not our grip on Christ that secures us, but His unwavering grip on us. Our strength may falter, our emotions may waver, but Jesus never lets go. John 10:28 (NLT) says, ‘I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.’ That is the security of grace, the assurance of a love that holds us fast even when we stumble. We are held, not by our merit, but by His mercy. That’s the unshakable hope of the Gospel.
4. Christ Cleansed Us from Our Sins
The verse declares, "When he had cleansed us from our sins." The Greek term "katharismos" (?a?a??sµ??) refers to purification or cleansing. Jesus accomplished this purification through His sacrificial death on the cross.
1 John 1:7 (NLT): "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."
The blood of Jesus is efficacious, providing complete cleansing from sin. This invites us to live in the light of His holiness, embracing the forgiveness He offers.
Consider a stained garment made pure white again. Our souls, stained by sin, are cleansed wholly by the blood of Christ, making us righteous before God.
Paul David Tripp stated, "If you are in Christ, you've been chosen to transcend the borders of your own glory, to reach out toward a greater glory, the glory of God."
You see, in our natural state, we are glory-seekers—drawn to spotlight our own accomplishments, our reputation, our desires. But when we are in Christ, the old self dies and we are raised to new life—not to showcase ourselves, but to reflect His glory.
The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT): “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”
We’ve been called to live beyond ourselves—to be mirrors, not monuments. We exist not to build platforms for personal praise, but to point every heart and eye to Jesus—the One in whom God’s full glory dwells.
Christian, you are no longer a citizen of small ambitions. You've been redeemed to pursue and display the majesty of the Living God. So Go! And reflect a glory far greater than your own—the matchless, radiant glory of Christ!
5. Christ Is Exalted at God's Right Hand
Finally, Hebrews 1:3 tells us that after accomplishing purification for sins, Jesus "sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven." Sitting at the right hand signifies a position of power, authority, and honor.
Ephesians 1:20–21 (NLT): “He raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.”
Jesus is not just in heaven—He is seated in a place of divine supremacy and sovereignty. The “right hand” in biblical times signified power and honour. Christ, having finished the work of redemption, sits in the highest place of majesty and intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). This truth should stir within us awe, confidence, and worship—our Saviour reigns!
In royal courts, to be seated at the right hand of a king was the greatest possible honour. Jesus, seated at the right hand of God, demonstrates that His redemptive work is complete and His reign is eternal. We do not serve a defeated or distant Saviour—He is reigning now and forever.
John Piper wrote, “Jesus is not just worthy of your trust; He is enthroned in power to keep every promise He has made.”
This is a powerful reminder of the certainty we have in Christ.
Jesus is not only trustworthy—He is enthroned in power. He is not just a good teacher or a moral example. He is the risen King, seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling with all authority in heaven and on earth. Every promise He has made—whether about forgiveness, provision, peace, or eternal life—is backed by divine power and sovereign rule.
As Hebrews 1:3 reminds us, “When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” He is not pacing the halls of heaven, wondering how things will turn out—He is seated, reigning, and able to fulfil every word He has spoken.
So yes, we can trust Him—because He is not only willing, He is able!
The Gospel and the Glory of Christ
Dear friends, Hebrews 1:3 is a Gospel-saturated verse. In just one sentence, it reveals the glory, the character, the authority, the sacrifice, and the exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He radiates God's glory: We see God when we see Jesus.
He represents God's character: He is the exact imprint of the Father.
He sustains all creation: Our lives are held together by His word.
He purifies from sin: His blood cleanses completely.
He is enthroned in majesty: Our King reigns eternally.
This is the Jesus we proclaim. This is the Jesus who saves. This is the Jesus who is worthy of your trust, your worship, and your life.
A Call to Response
Go! And Behold the Radiance of Christ.
Beholding Jesus is not a passive act. It changes us. It compels us. It sends us.
Go! And worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Go! And trust Him in your trials—He sustains you.
Go! And reflect His glory in a dark world.
Go! And proclaim His cleansing power to the lost.
Go! And live under the authority of your exalted King.
As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT): "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
Beholding leads to becoming. When we behold the radiant glory of Jesus, we become reflectors of that glory to the world around us.
Invitation to Faith
If you are here today and you have never experienced the cleansing, sustaining, transforming power of Jesus—come to Him. He radiates the glory of God. He reveals the heart of God. He bore your sin, and now sits exalted, offering you forgiveness and eternal life.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) says: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Come. Be cleansed. Be restored. Behold the radiance of Christ—and be transformed forever.
Final Encouragement & Application
Let us not walk away from this truth unmoved. Let this vision of Christ stir us to:
Worship more deeply.
Live more boldly.
Proclaim more passionately.
Hope more confidently.
Jesus Christ is the radiance of God’s glory. He is the exact representation of His being. He sustains the universe. He cleansed us by His blood. He reigns in glory.
Go! And Behold the Radiance of Christ!
Amen.
