Friday, November 18, 2011

Hebrews Challenge Chapter One

Check out the Hebrews Challenge Here

Hebrews 1:1-14

I like how the writer of Hebrews cuts straight to the point. In the past, God has spoken in a variety of ways, but now He's speaking through His Son, Jesus.

The writer is announcing to his audience that there is one focus that he is going to hone in on...and that is Jesus. So, what can we learn about Jesus from chapter one?

Heir of all things.

Involved in creation.

The radiance of God's glory. (I love this!)

Exact representation of God.

The sustainer of all things.

Purifies sin.

Sits in authority in Heaven.

Has authority over angels.

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What we believe about Jesus, determines how we will live. As some nerds out there might recognize from a movie..."Your focus determines your reality."

The writer of Hebrews suggests that there is a singular focus. And that is Jesus.

The line that grabs my attention is that Jesus is the sustainer of all things.

I've been looking at milrinone...vents...pamidronate as sustainers of life.

But Jesus is better.

That breath you just took. He gave you. That one too. He knows the number of your days. He sustains life.

When my focus is singular, I know my hope is singular as well.

12 comments:

Mama Karen said...

My thoughts today are that when everything else fades away, Jesus Christ remains!!! He was with us in the beginning and will remain with us always! What a promise!

Joanne Sadlon said...

I hve posted the lyrics to this old hymn before, but they are appropriate today:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

God bless you all today.

Anonymous said...

Jesus is an exact representation of God: Exact because He is God, Representation because He is part of God. He is a representation of God to us because I feel like we connect a little bit better with Jesus. (Jesus has "been there and done that" in human terms) Jesus is my friend and savior, we talk. God, I reverence Him. I can't do anything but fall on my knees and bow my head to him. I am in awe of Him. Hold tight to Jesus; talk to him because he is right there. Hold tight to God; kneel before him because he is everything.

Anonymous said...

What did I recieve from God's word? He remains the same!!! He doesn't change! My life this past year has been one of many, many changes...which have been great for the most part but there have been times when it has been very overwhelming, frustrating, scary, lonely and confusing! Those are the times when I take comfort that God never changes...the foundations of the earth and the heavens may perish but He remains the same!!!! Circumstances change...but He does not!! Thank you Lord!!!

Anonymous said...

I read the chapter right after listening to an ecology program focused on teens doing various clean-up and recycling projects. The statistics related to the increasing severity of pollution & its effects were, of course, dismal. So, what grabbed my attention today were verses 10-12 with the earth and the heavens being rolled up and changed like old dirty garment. I'm so thankful that the day is coming when, under Jesus' kingship, all of creation is released from "it's slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Rom. 8:21) I can't wait! - K. Hostetler

Anonymous said...

In the old testament God sent prophets to teach the people and even appeared to them. However, He knew this wasn't enough to save mankind, so He sent his only Son to walk among us and teach us by example. Then He made the supreme sacrifice - His Son gave his life to save us from sin. Let us honor this sacrifice by studying the teachings of Jesus and patterning our lives after his example. Too many times we do not forgive others when we should. We need to love everyone, not just those that are easy to love.

Anonymous said...

I was drawn to two parts the first and most important is that God's throne will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter. God being constant keeps me centered and his righteousness gives me hope.

The other part that I was drawn to was "anointing with the oil of joy". Can you imagine that, what it must be like?

Kelly D

Anonymous said...

What stuck out to me is that HE is an absolute constant in a life of no certainties!
Missi

Anonymous said...

I was struck by verse 3 where it says "The Son is the radiance of
God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word". Having just finished with the study on Joshua it's interesting to read that. We talked several times about the tension of the God of Joshua and then the teachings of Jesus and here it reminds us that God is constant.

I like the last part about Jesus sustaining all things by his powerful word...that I think should give us all hope.

Unknown said...

He is the "heir of all things". And we are fellow heirs. In suffering here and glorification in heaven. Longing for the day when we will be glorified with all of the saints.

Wood said...

Read through one and two this morning, found two similar thoughts. "Earth and sky will wear out, but not you; they become threadbare like an old coat....But you'll stay the same, year after year; you'll never fade, you'll never wear out."(MSG)

He never changes, doesnt fade...fading happens slowly over time, like my determination, or my perserverance, or my focus does. He wont. WE (I) should follow that example

Steph said...

Reading through the first chapter I was just struck with the reality of how amazing Jesus is, how powerful and how in control. What a comfort!