DECEMBER 24
HEBREWS 2:5–18

How would you describe Jesus, the one on whom you
have hung your hope in this life and the one to come?

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No book of the Bible begins as Hebrews does. It’s as though
the writer of Hebrews invites you into the divine theater and
ushers you to a great seat. As the orchestra swells, he pulls back the
curtain, and a bright and shining light of glory bursts forth from
the stage. He says, “Here is your Savior.” This description of Jesus
isn’t one you should rush through, as though you bumped into him
on the street on your way to something more important:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our
fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to
us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through
whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory
of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the
universe by the word of his power. After making purification for
sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having
become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is
more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”? . . .
But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
(Heb. 1:1–5, 8–9)

This portrait of the Savior is majestic and multifaceted, and so
it deserves meditation. It is meant not only to deepen and clarify
your understanding of the second person of the Trinity, but to
change you, that is, to deepen your understanding of who you are
as God’s child. Sometimes when you come across such glory, it
prompts you to stop, be silent, behold, and worship. Hebrews 1
offers us an account of this kind of glory.
So, who is Jesus? He is God’s final revelation to us. In him we
see the full radiance of God’s glory, because he shares God’s exact
nature. Jesus not only created the world, but he is the one who
holds the creation together by his infinite power. Jesus is the only

one who has the power to purify us from sin—an amazing act in-
deed. He is God the Father’s beloved Son, who now sits at his right

hand. Jesus’s throne is forever and ever, and he rules in gladness and
righteousness. There is and never will be anyone like him. Jesus is
majestic in glory and brimming with redeeming grace. He reigns
over his creation for the sake of his own. There is no one more
worthy of your hope. There is no one more worthy of your trust.
There is no one more deserving of your worship. Today, and all the
days that follow, we bow before the majesty of our Savior King and
offer our whole hearts and lives to him.

Prayer

Jesus, I stand in awe of you. I am stunned by your glory, the glory of
God himself. You created the world and continue to hold it together.
You have used your purifying power to cleanse your people from sin.

You rule from heaven in gladness and righteousness. You are majes-
tic and gracious. All I can do is worship you with all my heart, with

all my soul, and with all my life. In your name I do so, amen.