Purified

After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.                                                                                                              Heb. 1.3b

There are many places in the Bible where resounding truths are presented by the simplest of sentences. Here is one such instance.

Jesus provided purification for sins. Herein lies the essence of salvation. Humanity cannot make its own way into heaven. Humanity is tainted. Humanity comprises a fallen race, sinners all! A sinless God cannot countenance sinful people. Jesus became the sacrifice and the scapegoat. He gave His sin-free life in payment for the sins of mankind – for all time.

The second part of this sentence completes our salvation. Jesus is now seated in glory and might in heaven. He who gave His life for us on earth now awaits us in holy splendour in heaven. He is ready to welcome us into the joy of the hereafter. He has freed us from sin and He has prepared a place for us in the heavenly realm.

This simple sentence says it all. How clearly God speaks. If only we would give ourselves to hear and to understand what He has for us. How greatly blessed we are!

Almighty God,

I rejoice in what You have done. I revel in the plan that You have for all mankind. I do not take this lightly; I am deeply grateful.

I seek to live in this eternal plan throughout the here and now. Take me and make me Yours. Open the way before me and lead me in that way. As we go, may we enjoy each other. I rejoice in this day. You have given me a new day and a new start. I thank You, in Jesus’ gracious name.           Amen.

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The Son

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being sustaining all things by his powerful word.                                                        Heb. 1.3a

The Son was the reality of God on earth. He radiated God’s glory. He fully represented God in His being and He sustained everything in every word that He spoke. His word contains power, unlimited power.

God needed to become real on earth, and so He came. He came in human form and He showed us. Not only did He show us the divine presence on earth, He showed us how we should respond, how we can accept that presence and the relationship it offers us, and how we can live in right relationship with the holy and all-mighty God.

The Son was and the Son is! Indeed, the Son will ever be. All that was experienced when Jesus walked the earth can be experienced today. Christ bequeathed us the Holy Spirit, the divine spirit that is fully there for us, who will show us the way, lead us in that way, and release signs, wonders, and miracles in our presence.

Man’s earthly connection with God did not cease with the return of Christ to heaven. The radiance of God’s glory permeates us still. The representation of the being of God is as available to us now as ever it was. And we are always, every moment, sustained by His powerful word.

Almighty God,

I receive this Your Word in power. I yearn for more of Your power to be made manifest on earth. I look to the Son. I fix my eyes on Him that I might be consumed by Him. Keep me in You, Lord. Sustain me with the fullness of life – in You.               Amen.

Change

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.            Heb. 1.1, 2

These opening verses of the letter to the Hebrew believers contain revolutionary material. For thousands of years the Jews had become accustomed to hearing God speak through prophets who He appointed, from time to time, to bring His word to the people.

Suddenly there is a change. No longer will the Almighty God commission men to speak on His behalf. He sent His Son to speak directly into the lives of all – men and women, of all nationalities and colours. This was not another prophet. This was the Son of God, appointed heir of everything that is. This was the being through whom the universe was made.

The Son spoke when He walked this earth, and I believe He still speaks today. No one comes into relationship with Father God without an encounter with the Son. This is reality. Jesus is as real today as the time when He lived on earth in human form.

Jesus speaks also beyond the initial conversion experience. He encourages and guides; He lifts us up when we appear lost; He carries our burden as we let Him. He is all that we need. How sad it is that we do not always realise this. Yet how easy it is to let go to Him when we allow.

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for leading me into relationship with the Father. Thank You for all that You’ve spoken to me and done for me. I thank You also, in advance, for all You’re going to do for me, for my whole life is in You, and only in You. Thank You.                      Amen.