Hebrews is a great book to study, for it identifies for us not only the superiority of the Son, Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our eternal redemption, but also in Hebrews 1 we find these powerful truths. “God the writer starts our with who spoke to us in the past, and we find out it was by the father’s and the prophets. Then he says a very powerful thing. “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom he also made the worlds.” John 1:1-3 teaches us the same thing. And in this portion the writer says: “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things, by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right and of the Majesty on high;” The definition comes quickly. God is no longer speaking to us through the various methods of progressive revelation. That is what diverse manners in verse 1 is talking about. In the past God spoke by the prophets, but the shift is permanent, Because as we read in verse 2, He now speaks to us by he Son. The prophets were speaking expressly that which they heard, with clear definition and even in the New Testament we find one called John, a voice in the wilderness heralding the coming of the Messiah. John 1:23 The Son speaks the Word of God, with his authority of being the heir and creator of all things. Speaking of Jesus Christ, we read these powerful words. “There was a man come from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” The Son of God is now defined in verse 9, “That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” We are looking at a few verses this morning and as it is defined, it becomes more glorious each step of the way. Prophetic utterance speaks often of things to come, or defines what actually is, both in condition and revelation of the truth of who God is, and where the hearts of men are. But in this book the very creator of all things came into the world as light and much more then a prophet or angel He, Jesus, would be the express image of his person, and would uphold all things by the word of His power. And right away in verse 3 we read these powerful words. “When he had by himself, (notice that this morning because it is very relevant for you), purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Oh my, what a glorious revelation putting him higher then the  Fathers, higher than the Prophets, and angels, but the Son of God, the creator of all things. I love it this morning, when we read verse 4. “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they.” And then he defines it clearly. “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.” Jesus Christ was a distinctive. Vincent said, “Here the essential being of God is conceived as setting its distinctive stamp on Christ, coming into definite and characteristic expression of His Person so that the Son bears the exact impress of the divine nature and character.” That is what is called the express image of God.

I love the fact that the writer at the outset defines Christ as the one who by Himself, purged our sins and that naturally would entail all those who come to Him by faith. Wuest tells us that the act of redemption is not only brought into being by the work of Christ but by the very power inherit in Him, He is able to sustain the redemptive work of Christ by putting away that which had been established called sin, and when we read Romans 6 we see that reality. Romans 6 asks the question. “What shall we say then?” (Romans 5:20),  “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ.” Listen to part B of 6:1. “Shall we continue in sin, that grace might abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein.” These are the steps: We were baptized into Jesus Christ and His death. Verse 3 In verse 4, “Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Do you know that the moment you believed in Christ, we read in verse 5-9 what happened. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” Hallelujah!

In Hebrews 2:3 we read, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation:” I pause here because this often is the place where people enter into a fruitless life, for they cease to continue in the Word of God. “Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Then he says in verse 9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor: that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Wow! The Son of God was made lower than the angels that he could taste death for us. Now death, the wage of sin, was laid upon Him, on the cross bringing about death for you and me! Listen to me for one moment this morning. “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Even in the fall of man in the beginning there was the requirement of a sacrifice, but the sacrifice of animals could not bring eternal redemption, so the Son had to come. And when we read verse 11 of Chapter 2 we rejoice. “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” I close this morning with this verse. Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” and we read in verse 17, we read, “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” What a glorious gospel we have, and when we put our trust in Him, and we receive Him as Savior, God takes abode in our earthen vessel, having given us eternal redemption. Are you saved, having received Christ as your Savior. Ask Him into your heart today, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if you have not done that!