The Authority of God's Son.

The author of Hebrews was waging war against the authorities in his culture. Culture is always a powerful force that shapes people as people shape it. Those on the fringes of popular culture are perhaps the most honest in applying culture to their lives, living in harmony with the ideals they are being taught.

Is there any reason to question culture's place in our life? If so, who can we trust? Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that Jesus Christ has the authority to speak with pointed help as we evaluate the proper place of culture in our lives.

Hebrews 13:20-21 tells us the purpose of the book: to equip, restore, prepare us, and answer our ultimate questions. This is all found in Scripture and the Christ it reveals.

The threat for the author and audience of the book of Hebrews was Judaism. This powerful force in the culture was held by generations of family and approved by the government, whereas Christianity was new and persecuted by those in authority. Our cultural threat today is secularism: the idea that man is the measure of all things.

Hebrews 13:20 says the God of Heaven is a God of peace. He wants to restore His image-likeness in broken humanity. The culmination of God's desire to restore and equip us is the incarnation of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2). God's Son communicates the divine to humanity in a way only a family member can, and even more – He is a one-for-one of God Himself. Other vehicles of God's revelation were imperfect and incomplete.

Prophets are not Son.

Prophets spoke authoritatively and had their words confirmed in signs and wonders, but we must excuse their imperfect lives. Instead of interpreting symbols and events, we have clearer revelation in God's Son and His objective written word (John 17:17). Jesus speaks by divine right. He has all authority.

Jesus is Son.

As Son, Jesus is God. He is "appointed heir of all things," given the supreme place in all the universe. He transcends time and space, unlike cultural leaders. He is the Creator of all things; He is personally involved in everything over all time. He is God's glory, the radiant out-shining of the brightness of God. We cannot see God directly, much like the sun, but Jesus is the practical radiance that communicates Him to us.

Jesus is "the exact representation of [God's] nature." He simply is God. The doctrine of the Trinity is one that you must believe long before you will understand it. Jesus has the same power through His word that God the Father displayed in Creation (Genesis 1:3-24).

As Son, Jesus Christ accomplished His work.

Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus "made purification of sins." That simple statement encompasses a lot, not just the Cross. The Jewish mind associates that phrase with the entire Mosaic system. Jesus fulfilled all its requirements. This is something only God can do.

Sitting down is the posture of completion and authority. Jesus fills the one and only place of honor at God's "right hand" (verse 3).

If you are not equipped, there is one central issue: you are affected by sin. Jesus' whole life of active obedience fulfilled the will of God the Father in all aspects and accrued for us infinite righteousness. His death on the cross paid for our sin. Every person has the same problem, which has the same solution: Jesus must restore His image-likeness in us.

Application Points

• We may wonder what we can offer other believers in edification and discipleship. To keep it simple, we can always talk about Jesus.

• Accept Jesus on His terms. His is the only trustworthy word because He is God. He is the only way to be restored from your sin.

• When you are born again, your thinking is completely restructured. Keep renewing your mind through meditating on the reality of Jesus through God's Word (Romans 12:1-2)!

Tools for Further Study

A Hymn to Encourage: "Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All"

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All,
Hear me, blest Savior, when I call;
Hear me, and from Your dwelling place
Pour down the riches of Your grace;
Jesus, my Lord, I do adore;
O help me love You more and more.

Jesus, too late for You I sought;
How can I love You as I ought?
And how to praise Your matchless fame,
The glorious beauty of Your Name?
Jesus, my Lord, I do adore;
O help me love You more and more.

Jesus, what did You find in me
That You have dealt so lovingly?
How great the joy that You have brought,
So far exceeding hope or thought!
Jesus, my Lord, I do adore;
O help me love You more and more.

Jesus, of You shall be my song;
To You my heart and soul belong;
All that I have is Yours alone,
And You, blessed Savior, are my own;
Jesus, my Lord, I do adore;
O help me love You more and more.