Jesus Christ “his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 hand of the Majesty on high: Hebrews 1:2-3
As I go about my days along this life journey, why is it so important that I recognize the magnificence and glory of Jesus as King, seated upon His throne? How would that change my view of life’s struggles? How can that affect my relationships with friends, co-workers, and family? My life is filled with dreams, desires, decisions, work, and activities. We must constantly think about our health, our car, our house, our finances, our relationships, and our jobs. Even when it comes to our faith, we fill our lives with the “activities”; yet, in all that do we truly stop to realize the importance of seeing Jesus upon His throne.
The writer of Hebrews wants us to realize that Jesus is already the King. He is the obedient son who died upon a cross at His Father’s bidding; yet, He is also the express image of the Father and the bright radiance of His Glory. Not only was Jesus the humble sacrificial lamb who died to save the world; but, Jesus is also the one through whom the Father spoke the world into being and the one who holds everything in place by the word of His power. This is the same truth that John expressed when he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4
Try not to get bogged down by the finiteness of our own minds to comprehend this. The full spectrum of God’s Glory is beyond our ability to fully comprehend; yet, the truth of seeing and knowing who “Jesus really is” IS the foundation of our Christian faith. It is paramount to our being able to live a life filled with steadfast hope, joy, and peace even when surrounded by evil and chaos. As Jesus prepared His disciples for the troubling days surrounding His own crucifixion, He said,
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.
There are three very important truths in these beginning verses of Hebrews I need to recognize every moment of every day. My view of everything else in my life pivots around my remembering these truths. It is my sincere desire to help you to see these truths as well. Knowing these truths will help you to realize that in Christ you have everything you need to truly live a life that rises above the trials. In Christ, you have joy, hope, peace and victory.
1. Jesus Christ is seated on His throne and ALL things are held together by the power of His word. God created the world through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ was not only present at creation, He created the very world He would later die to save. He holds all things together by His word of power. All things, the stars that are suspended in all the galaxies are held in place by His word. My next breath is held together by His Word. The beautiful laughter of my grandchildren are held together by the Power of Jesus’ Word. Every tiny detail of my life cannot happen but what Jesus word allows it.
2. Jesus Christ is the express image of God, the brightness of His Glory. As God the Father shines forth His Glorious presence it radiates to us through Jesus Christ. Perhaps again this is a mystery that goes just beyond the comprehension of our finite minds; yet, Jesus Christ is both co-equal with the Father as to being God and at the same time bows humbly to the Father’s will. The only thing I hope can help you understand came from the statement in Genesis “Let us make man in our image.” We are body, soul, and spirit as is God. Because of sin, we are fragmented at times with our will, body, and spirit in conflict within our own self. Spiritually, without Christ we are eternally separated from a relationship with God as our spirit is always in a state of death toward God. Even though we are because of sin fragmented; God the Father (soul), God the Son (body) and God the Holy Spirit (the spirit) are perfectly united in purpose. They are never fragmented in purpose. Christ is seated on the right hand of majesty (the Father) and has full authority over every detail of my life. He who died for me; desires to present me to His Father as His perfect precious bride. Everything that He ordains for my life is for that ultimate purpose of transforming me into the perfect bride who can fully comprehend the Glorious Joy of being forever in His presence.
3. In Jesus Christ, I am already purified of all my sins (past, present, and future). Note the tense of the word, “HAD by himself purged our sins.” Had is a past perfect tense. He is not done with me; but, before the Fathers eyes it is already as if I had never sinned. Does that make the internal battle against sin purposeless? No, the battle I war against sin is merely proof that my humanity is trying to catch up with who I am in Christ!! Yet, whenever I am wounded and bleeding in battle, there is a sweetness in knowing the final victory has already been won.
Why does all this matter and how does that change my life? It means that there is nothing more precious in my life than Jesus Christ. Everything and everybody are seen in the light and beauty of Christ first. He becomes more precious than TV, success, family and friends. Every one that I love must be seen in the light as they should be subordinate to and proof of Christ’s love for me. As Augustine said,
“He loves Thee too little, who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake.”
Knowing these three truths also changes how we see trials and tribulations. If I know that “all things are held together by the power of His word” and that “all things work together for my good”; why would I ever fret, worry or believe that anything in my life is bad. There would be no “bad days” or sorrows, if I truly grasp these truths. Oh, that I would seek and savor Christ above all else and that I would preach these truths to my own heart every day that I live.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:35,36
How do you see Jesus today?
Listen to this song Same Power Do You Know the Power of Jesus Christ in You? Do You know Him as Your Savior and Your King?
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.