Who is Jesus
Read the Text: Hebrews 1
Memorize the Text:
He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
(Titus 2:14, CSB)
Consider the Text: Hebrews 1
The author of Hebrews penned a letter addressed to the Jewish believers. The letter uses historical themes from Judaism to discuss Jesus, salvation, and how a believer should follow the Lord. As the letter opens, the author describes Jesus by showing his preeminence over angels. This comparison details the Lordship of Christ and reminds believers that angels serve the Lord and, as a result, should not be worshiped like Jesus. In this opening section of Hebrews, the author addresses how Jesus is the agent of creation, redemption, the victor, and the king. These descriptor names provide insight into how we must view, serve, and worship Jesus.
The Agent of Creation
The author announced that God created the universe through Christ. This statement aligns with the Gospel of John, where John identified Jesus as the Word. At the same time, the apostle Paul noted in Colossians that all things were created by and for Jesus. As a result, the author’s words in Hebrews should not surprise us. As the agent of creation, Jesus existed in eternity past as part of the Trinity. The love of God for his creation exists not only as the one who spoke creation into existence but also as the very agent of creation. Thus, we should remember and be encouraged that our Creator loves us so much to become our Redeemer.
The Agent of Redemption
Jesus served as the agent of redemption. In Genesis 3, we find that the world entered a state of sin that separated everyone from the Lord. At that moment, we follow a crimson thread throughout the Scripture to see the revealing of God’s promised work of redemption and his fulfillment of this plan in Christ. As the agent of redemption, Jesus demonstrated a great love for his creation by forming an avenue by which we could become reconciled to God. Thus, the agent of creation that formed us is the agent of redemption who worked to reform us. This action of redemption occurred because Jesus is the victor.
The Victor
Jesus claimed victory over sin and death in his death on the cross and the resurrection from the grave. As a result, Jesus is the ultimate victor because he conquered the greatest enemy. As the great victor, Jesus did not withhold the spoils of victory but extended the gift of eternal life for humanity to receive. As victor, Jesus offers us victory and hope that conquers the deserved death we hold because of sin. When we receive the victor’s gift, we must serve him as our king.
The King
Jesus is the king. As a result, we must serve our king faithfully. Understanding Jesus as king means that we recognize the lordship of Christ and allow him complete control of our life. We engage his commands found in the Word and follow them obediently. At the same time, we recognize that the kingship and lordship of Christ are without end. He is the eternal king who desires to be with his servant forever. Thus, we must recognize Jesus as the agent of creation, the agent of redemption, our victor, and our king.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
