Hebrews 1:3
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;
Verse 3 of Hebrews 1 breaks down into 5 sections. (1) who being the brightness of his glory, (2) and the express image of his person, (3) and upholding all things by the word of his power, (4) when he had by himself purged our sin, and (5) sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Let us begin with “the brightness of his glory.” Yet, how do I begin? First, am I worthy of this great task? The answer of course, is no! For no man has seen the full glory of God, nor can man describe the full glory of God. When man is in the presence of God, His glory is always veiled in some form, if not, we would all be consumed. Yet, the Almighty God veiled His glory as our Saviour. He guides us through the wilderness, He feeds us with manna, we drink from the Rock who is Christ. When our life is in turmoil, we go to the back of the ship and say, “Master, care not that we perish?” as a weak and helpless child. And He arises and simply says, “Peace, be still,” and all is calm. Or when the leprosy of sin stains us, does He not say, “Be thou clean.” We stand upon the Mt. and see His glory, yet we see Jesus — the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Great armies can come against us on all sides, we cry out and He comes as Captain of the Lord of Hosts, and Captain of our salvation. He is a merciful high priest and makes intercession for us. He is in the midst of His brethren and his protecting care surrounds the hills with a host of flaming chariots and angels. He is in the cloud by day, and in the fire by night to guide us through the wilderness. He sets us in the darkness of this world as lights of His love, as stars in the sky sometimes we are just a twinkle of light, and yet it is His light that comes to shine in a dark world. We are strangers to men, and yet sons to Him. We sit at His table, he fills us with joy and with His love and gives us confidence in so great salvation, and His banner over us is love. He loved me and gave Himself for me. When on this journey He provides the script and cloak, He provides the dwelling, and all our needs whether great or small, and it is always enough for that day. He, the Lord of glory takes an unworthy servant and causes him to ride as a prince in the way. In His glory He takes on many names, but always the same mighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace, and the King of Righteousness. He spreads before us His table, full of the word of God, in the presence of our enemies; so that we might have an answer for every man concerning man’s salvation. We behold His glory in our minds, in our hearts, in our souls and in our spirit. He reveals His tenderness and gives us His strength that we can be more than conquerors through Him who has conquered death and hell for us. Is this not His glory? Are not we His jewels set in His golden crown of Righteousness? He is so mighty that the rocks are rent by His blast, the skies light with His lightening and the thunder of His voice shakes the earth. He can send a storm on a peaceful day, or turn a storm into a great calm. All is in His control and all is upheld by the word of His power.
The simple beat of my heart, the air of my breathe, the care of my soul are all in His hands. This causes me to say, “How many are the ways that I love Thee, O God, let me count them one by one.” As a babe in a manger; as a young boy of twelve talking with the learned men and doctors, and they marveled at His wisdom and the knowledge of this one who was God manifested in the flesh. Then we have the beginning of miracles, the water turned to wine. Yet, our joy comes from Thee, a fountain of water bubbling up inside the soul and spirit. We see His glories in our heart, the seat of love, and yet deceit also abides in our hearts. But His love covers all. We see Him in the garden, sweating (as it were) great drops of blood. As thou with thine infinite loving heart turns within thee and wrestles within thy holiness on what is before thee. And yet we hear Him as a son say, Lo, in the volume of the book, it is written of me, I come to do thy will, O God. From before the world was, He had this glory that would take Him to the cross. And all along the way, the cross was before Him. In the garden with Adam, walking with Enoch, guiding Noah through the flood, communing with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; in the prison with Joseph, on the Mt. with Moses, to the prophets, to the kings and princes, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Daniel to Malachi, to John the Baptist — in each one, as He guided them, He knew what was before Him. Yet not one step was false or was misplaced, in perfect order, step by step, all the way till He on the cross cried out, ” it is finished.” Oh, my great God, is this not thy glory, to be found as a man, to humble Himself even to the death of the cross. At the lowest part of His light, He did shine brightest. He conquered all my woes and fears in the glory of the cross. My heart will reflect His glory throughout all eternity, for He has entered into His glory. Amen
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? Luke 24:26
© Copyright 2014, Michael C. Haigh
The Book of Hebrews, Chapter 1, verse 3, Part II to follow.
All Scripture references from the Authorized King James Bible (KJV).