16th Jan (Ways to Encounter God 2: Jesus)

There is no better way to encounter God through His Word. It is even better to look at Jesus, the Word of God.

Hebrews 1:1-4 (NASB) ¹  God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, ²  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. ³  And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴  having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

While there are traditions and authorities which can reveal and help us encounter God, the author of Hebrews (writing to most probably the 2nd generation of Jewish Christians) challenge the readers to Jesus.

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and exact representation of His nature. If we know Jesus, we know God.

The book of Hebrews will compare the prophets, the angels, Moses (the great leader), Joshua (the great general) and Aaron (the high priest) with Jesus. Each of them has a voice or word to be heard but it is not adequate. Jesus is the supreme one. He is better than the prophets, the angels, Moses, Joshua and Aaron.

While we may not have much problem accepting this truth that Jesus is better and greater, imagine this for the Jewish believers who had been raised up with these traditions and authorities. It may not be easy. Yet Hebrews states that Jesus is better and greater, even for their Jewish system of sacrifices.

What about us? Is Jesus superior than the things we hold on to? Can we accept that Jesus is the final Word?

Let our eyes be on Jesus and let's not allow doubt and unbelief to cloud our vision of Jesus.