Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,… I. THE DIGNITY OF HIS NATURE. 1. "The brightness of His glory." The figure that comes to our minds immediately-the sun in firmament. Flood of light that pours down from it. All the dazzling glory of the Father pours down to us in the Son. In Him you may find all that is adorable in the Divine nature. 2. "Express image of His person." Here we come to a deeper mystery. Just as I know something of light of sun, but nothing of hidden nucleus. So I may know something of the glory of God. But what do I know of God Himself? — substance, essence, being. And this is what the apostle means by the word translated "person." Substance — essence — being would better convey his idea. Take the words if you will, "The express image of God's substance." The apostle teaches — You have that in Christ. Just as when you take your seal, and press it carefully on yielding wax. There on the wax you shall find the express image of your seal. No line, however deep or however faint or graceful, but see its likeness there. So in Christ you have the express image — counterpart of God. No attribute of the Father which does not belong to the Son. None that does not belong to Him in equal measure. His power not less mighty, wisdom not less keen, love not less tender. II. DIGNITY OF HIS OFFICES. 1. The great Sustainer. "Upholding all things." Son of God! Thou art the Sustainer! With Thy hand; nay, with Thy breath. Just as at the beginning Thou didst say, "Let light be... and light was." Just as earth and sea, sun and moon, firmament and stars, appeared at Thy command. So at Thy command they are! Aye, and all the living things upon them. All breathing lungs and beating hearts and burning souls. "Thou upholdest all things." 2. The great Sacrifice. What! The great Sustainer the great Sacrifice. The transition is so sudden! Contrast so immense! Then I feel nothing more is needed — the work is done! it is finished. "By Himself He has purged our sins." III. DIGNITY OF HIS REWARD. "Sat down on right hand of Majesty on high." 1. What a place for Christ I For Him who sat down a weary traveller on well's side. Who knelt in anguish under olives of Gethsemane. Who stood a criminal at the bar of Pilate. For Him who hung in blood upon cross, and lay a corpse in sepulchre. 2. What a power for Christ! "At the right hand of the King." What influence He will have on the royal counsels. How able to befriend the cause of all He loves. And to promote all holy and gracious purposes. 3. How fitting a reward like this! As a Divine Being there was glory He had with the Father before world was. How meet that as Incarnate Deity exalted to equal glory. The work He did on earth was done in obedience to His Father. How meet that the Father should thus show His entire approval. Yet more than all, His work is not yet done. He was here a sacrifice for sin, now High Priest within vail. Here He poured out His soul unto death, there pours forth heart in prayer. (F. Tucker, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, |
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