“Hath in these last days spoken unto us by 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;” (Heb. 1:2-3).

These are some of the most descriptive words of the person of Jesus in concise form to be found anywhere in the Bible.  They address his work as the spokesperson for God, the sacrificial offering for the sins of all and the sovereign who sits at the right hand of God.  Consider these three great qualities of the Son of God.

1. Revealer: Prophet. It is clearly stated that God has spoken “by his Son” (Heb. 1:2) and that he is the one who holds all things “by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3).  When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John with two of the great Old Testament prophets in his presence, the Father declared of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5; cf. Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35).  John stated of the Son of God, “And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).  When Jesus was asked that he might show the Father, Jesus stated, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:9-10).  Even the last book of the New Testament is an indicator that Jesus is the true revealer.
2. Redeemer: Priest. It is stated, “he had by himself purged our sins” (Heb. 1:3).  The book of Hebrews has as its major theme that of the priesthood of Jesus.  “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb. 8:1).  Furthermore, “For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer” (Heb. 8:3).  Jesus offered the greatest sacrifice, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14).  His redemption is provided even for those under the first testament (cf. Heb. 9:15).
3. Ruler: King.  It is equally stated after providing redemption through his own sacrifice that he “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).  He is truly the priest on his throne (cf. Zech. 6:13; Heb. 12:2) established after the order of Melchisedek (cf. Heb. 7:15-22).  He has “a kingdom which cannot be moved” (Heb. 12:28).  It is clearly affirmed of his authority, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:17).  The Hebrew people, as well as all nations, have before them the promised Messiah to provide all that is needed for life and happiness.  Believing his word, following his steps and giving the sacrifice of praise to him is truly a blessing.

Jimmy Clark