Meditations on the Glory of Christ: He is the Final Prophet, Priest, and King

In Hebrews 1:2-4, the author makes seven claims about Jesus that when taken together greatly exalt his glory. To be specific, Jesus is the heir of all things which includes all of creation and the promises of God. Jesus is the one through whom the Father created all things. Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. Jesus is the exact imprint of his nature which means that to see Jesus is to see God in utter perfection. Jesus is the one who upholds all things and guides them toward their appointed purposes by nothing more than the power of his words. Jesus made the once-for-all sacrifice for sins by offering up himself to God the Father on behalf of sinners. And having made this stunning and all-sufficient sacrifice, Jesus sat down at the right hand of God where he is today, and from where he is ruling over all things as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

By highlighting these seven attributes of the being and work of Jesus, the author of Hebrews has only begun to show that Jesus is far superior to all but God the Father. In only seventy-two words, the author has masterfully shown that Jesus is the final prophet through whom God has spoken his final word (verse 2), that he is the priest who made purification for sins (verse 3), and that he is the King who is seated at the right hand of the majesty on high and who possesses a name superior even to the angels of heaven (verses 3-4).

Indeed, Jesus is the final Prophet, Priest, and King so that God’s word through him will forever speak, the sacrifice of him will forever cleanse our sins, and by his presence on the throne he will forever rule and reign. God the Father has thus fully revealed himself in the Son, and he has nothing more to reveal than the Son.

Beloved, these are no theoretical claims: Jesus is all of these things and more! Think about how great he must be in light of these truths. Think about how exalted a position he must hold in light of these truths. Indeed, Jesus is highly exalted and he alone is worthy of our praise, our allegiance, our souls, our lives, our all. So let us worship him in a manner that is worthy of his great and gracious name!

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