14 day plan

God of all creation

Day 5 of 14

NIV

Hebrews 1:1-3

God’s Final Word: His Son

1In the past God spoke to our ancestors 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 also 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. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Reflection:  Jesus Christ – second person of the Trinity

As we saw in the previous reflection from Colossians 1, so today from Hebrews 1, Jesus is God’s agent in both creation and redemption: in creation and in the new creation.

The Trinity is not easy to understand, but Christians affirm the biblical truths: God is three in one, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three persons exist in the Godhead in such total unity that they are one. Our limited brainpower means that we often have to accept things we do not fully understand. The creation itself is incomprehensible (billions of billions of stars! Quantum entanglement—Google it!). On a different scale, scientists and philosophers wrestle with understanding consciousness or free will, both of which are impossible to explain, yet we know they are part of being human.

The Bible writers did not feel the need to “explain” everything. They were not scientists or philosophers. But what they do, under the inspiration of God, is to tell us what we need to know—not all that we would like to know, but what we need to know to live faithfully.

Prayer:  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, you are three in one in total unity; we praise you for revealing to us the things we need to know as we look at Jesus, creator and redeemer of all creation.

Help us in our ignorance to hold fast to the things that you have revealed, and help us not to be anxious for answers to all those questions we would like to resolve.

In the meantime, give us patience and peace as we rest in you.

Hebrews 1:1-14

God’s Final Word: His Son

1In the past God spoke to our ancestors 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 also 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. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

5For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son”?

6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,

and his servants flames of fire.”

8But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

10He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

12You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

and your years will never end.”

13To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet”?

14Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?