Who is this Christ?
Hebrews 1:1-14
Jeff Armbrester
Introduction
Christmas gifts are exciting to open. As soon as we see the gift wrapped in its beautiful wrapping, we begin trying to figure out what’s inside. First, we notice the size of the gift. “Is it the right size to be the special gift that I wanted?” Then we pick it up and check its weight. We may even shake it and turn it upside down to see if it rattles. Then we start tearing off the wrapping paper. Now, some folks do this very methodically as though they are trying to recycle the paper. Others of us just find a place that we can get our excited little fingers into the paper and start ripping it off. In our excitement to open the gift, we do not even read the card to see who the gift is from. With every piece of paper that comes off, we discover a new clue as to what the gift is.
The greatest gift that all of us have received is the gift of Jesus Christ given to us from God. We handle the gift with great care. An infant is not something that we shake and turn upside down to see if he rattles! Instead, we hold him gently, and cuddle him up close to our cheek and we hold him close to our heart. But to see this infant fully, we must gently unwrap him from his clothing. And until we live with him, we cannot fully know him.
Who is this Christ that was born and given to us? The author of the Letter to the Hebrews unwraps this precious gift God has given us.
I. Jesus is the complete revelation of God.
As we unwrap the first piece of clothing from the Christ child, we see that he is the complete revelation of God. The author Hebrews tells us this in verses 1-3.
1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Before Jesus came, God spoke to us through the prophets. They were the spokesmen for God. You might even say that they were God’s very own message service. They used many different ways to proclaim God’s message to the people. Each prophet seemed to have a particular theme to the message that he was to deliver. Elijah and Elisha were the lightening and thunder during the darkest days of the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Isaiah was the princely prophet who faithfully ministered in the king’s court until king Manasseh had him placed in a hollow log and sawn into. Jeremiah was known for his tears and Daniel for his dreams. Hosea saw God as the husband with and unfaithful wife (Israel). Amos was the prophet of justice and Nathan was the one who confronted king David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. There was Haggai who motivated the people to rebuild the Temple. And the prophet Jonah, who won a hearing in Nineveh that brought about a great revival. And the list goes on.
But each of these was only a fragment of the revelation of God. Who would have thought that God would reveal himself in a tiny, fragile infant? God’s final revelation did not come in a loud screaming voice. It did not come in a strong wind. Nor, did it come in an earthquake. The coming of this revelation did not dominate the conversation at the local gathering places. In fact, most likely those who heard of the experience of the shepherds probably accused them of being drunk. Besides, who would believe a story about angels appearing the sky and singing?
The writer to the Hebrews tells us that if we want to know God, then we must look at Jesus. He is radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. In the Gospel of John while in the upper room, Philip asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus told Philip and the others, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…I am the in the Father and the Father is in me.” Jesus’ entire life was a revelation of God: the words he spoke; the miracles he performed; his concern for justice; even his death on a cross. Through the life of Jesus, we can see a complete picture of God.
Application
We want to know God. We want to see him. We want to her his voice. We long to know what he wants us to do. We want a relationship with God. Jesus is God the Father. When we know Jesus, we know the Father.
We do not have to look any further to find God and to know God. God is completely revealed in Jesus Christ.
II. Jesus is the creator and sustainer.
As we unwrap another piece of clothing from the infant, Jesus, we see that he is the creator and the sustainer of the universe. Look again at what the author of Hebrews said about him in verses 2and 3.
Through whom he made the universe… 3sustaining all things by his powerful word.
The author now takes us back to the very beginning of time as we know and understand it. He said that the Son was the agent through whom God created the universe. He seems to be echoing John’s opening words in his Gospel: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (NIV)
Jesus is superior to all creation, even the angels. The writer takes precious space to emphasize that the Son is greater than the angels. He is not on the same level as they are. He is their creator. Therefore, they are to worship the Son. Listen to verse 6. 6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Nothing in all creation is to come before Jesus. All creation is subject to him. Since he is the only Son of God, he is the heir of all things. (v. 2). God has placed everything in his control. Jesus is in control of all the activities of the universe. As we watch the evening news or read the newspaper, it may appear that Jesus has lost control of this world. But we can only see a fraction of reality. Too often we are not aware of the “rest of the story” as Paul Harvey would say.
Application
We have numerous stories of people who came to know Jesus in jail or prison. We have heard stories of people who came to know Jesus when the bottle ran out and they found themselves with no place to look but up to God. We know people who have a closer walk with Jesus because of problems in their marriage or with their kids. Yes, there is a lot of evil in this world. But God is more powerful than any evil force and he will use it for his good!
III. Jesus is the high priest.
As we remove the next piece of wrapping we see that Jesus is the high priest. In ancient Judaism, once a year the high priest would enter the inner most part of the Temple known as the Holy of Holies. While there, he would offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. God would accept the sacrifice and would forgive the people of their sins. In verse 3 of our text the author tells us that Jesus provided purification for sins. To be sinful meant to be contaminated or dirty. This is why Isaiah proclaimed, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18; NIV) The idea is that of cleansing. Jesus has washed away our sin.
Later in the letter, the author makes it clear that we no longer need a human high priest to intercede for us. He tells us in verse 3 he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven and is interceding for us. We pray to God through Jesus, Christ. We receive forgiveness through Christ. We are our own priest, but Jesus is our high priest.
John chapter 17 is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus. In that prayer, Jesus prayed for each us and he is still praying for us today. Jesus speaks to God on our behalf just a lawyer would speak for us before a judge. The good news is that Jesus is pleading for us, not against us. He has provided the necessary cleansing for our sin.
Application
Have you received forgiveness for your sin? Is Jesus defending you before the judge of all eternity, God Almighty? Is he refuting every accusation that comes from the prosecutor, the accuser, Satan? Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice. He is our high priest. He is your high priest.
Closing
Who is this Christ? Who is this person who came as an infant over 2000 years ago? He is the one and only Son of God:
I. The complete revelation of God
II. The creator and sustainer of the universe
III. Our high priest
This precious gift from God has been placed in our hands. We have only begun to unwrap him. O, there is so much more of him to know. Will you accept God’s gift to you? And if you will, will you finish unwrapping him? After all, no one receives a gift and does not unwrap it.
