I have decided to only publish the “reflection” at the end of every devotional guide for each week instead of the full guide as it doesn’t make sense to read the guide as a web page and anyone who wishes to use the full guide should download the Word file. This way I can share the reflection with others who may not be using the guide. I hope this makes sense. Let me know in the comments if you think otherwise.
THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (HEAVEN’S PERSPECTIVE)
(Hebrews 1:1-4)
After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
We are so earth-bound that we rarely view, and appreciate, things from heaven’s perspective. Our time frame is so short it is difficult for us to see the time frame that God is working in. Hebrews reminds us of this and in these introductory verses of Chapter 1, he paints for us a glorious picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It began thousands of years ago with God reaching out to Abraham. Through a covenantal relationship that is often tumultuous God worked with him and his descendants, culminating in the creation of the nation Israel and the establishment of the Law and the Sacrifices. It laid the foundation for us to understand how God views sin, what it does to our relationship with him and what is needed to allow us into his presence again.
But Hebrews tells us that that was only foreshadowing an even greater purpose: “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” All that we understand of the Law and the Sacrifices are intended to help us understand what the Sacrifice of the Son is to accomplish — true and complete purification for sins. Hebrews 2:14 tells us that “by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.” And the import of this is that “all things” will ultimately be brought under the rule and authority of the Son.
In the Law and the Sacrifices we know of God’s holiness, God’s wrath, God’s requirement, God’s righteousness. In Christ we learn of God’s sacrificial, loyal, relentless, perfect love because he radiates the glory and being of God on the Cross.
It is finished. With the resurrection Death is defeated and with the defeat of death, satan’s power is neutralised. The Son sits down, having accomplished his victory, at the right hand of the Majesty and in due course all things will come under the rule and authority of the Son.
This is the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.