Our Great Salvation in Christ Jesus

Scripture Reading: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but 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. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV)

1. Introduction

The opening segment of the Epistle of Hebrews comprises three paragraphs: 1:1-3; 1:4-14; 2:1-4. The first paragraph is short but grand, introducing the theme and key doctrines of the letter. The second, long paragraph is a topical, comparative study of Christ and angels. The third, short paragraph is the natural outcome of the first two, with an appeal for response.

2. Purpose of the Epistle

The first three verses of the epistle introduce its main subjects: divine revelation, God's Son Jesus, and the work of redemption. The author's purpose was to deter his readers from turning away from Christ and going back to Judaism. Following Christ is better than Judaism because Christ is the full revelation of God. In Judaism, God has given a partial revelation of Himself, speaking through prophets and angels, but in His Son, Jesus Christ, He gives a complete revelation of Himself.

3. God's communication with man

Ever since the world began, God has been speaking to man at different times and in different ways: sometimes by direct communication, sometimes through dreams and visions, sometimes through experiences. The series of revelations recorded in the Old Testament began with Adam and ended with Malachi. Then from Malachi to the time of Christ, a period of about 400 years, there were no recorded divine communications. But now, in these last days- in this period of God's last way of communication with us- He has spoken to us by His Son. The main thrust of God's message is our great salvation through Christ. Salvation is great because of who the Son is.

4. The Son of God

In these early verses, the Son is especially revealed as God. His divine names are proof of His deity. He is the Son of God. God has many sons, but only one Son. Christ is the Son in a sense altogether unique. He is also called "God" and "Lord".

5. The deity of Christ

The divine works of Christ are proof of His deity.

I) His work of creation-- He made the worlds, the earth, the heavens, the universe.

II) His work of upholding all things-- He not only created all things, but He holds together all that He has created. When He was on earth, at His powerful command the angry waves and wind became still. At His mighty command disease and death loosed their hold on man, and demons fled away. And now, as ever, by His word of power all things are sustained.

III) His work of salvation. He is the Saviour of sinners. He purged our sins. Only God can purge sin. His divine character is proof of His deity. Jesus Christ is God because He is exactly like His Father. In Jesus, we have the expression of the essential nature of God.

IV) His position, or rank, is proof of His deity. He is the Heir of all things. God's estate is vast, and Christ has been appointed Heir of all Heir in the sense of possession. The meaning is that all things belong to the Son of God. He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The One who grappled with the sin question and settled it forever ascended to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. This exalted position is due to Him. He has a right to it, for He accomplished the will of His Father. He finished the work God gave Him to do.

6. Conclusion

The core of verses 1-3 may be seen in the following comparison:

A. God has spoken long ago to the fathers, in the prophets, in many portions and ways.

B. God has spoken in these last days to us, in His Son, who sat down at the right hand of God the Father. That He sat down at the right hand of God shows a finality about the revelation and the salvation. God has spoken in His Son, who finished His work of our salvation.

Selie Visa