"The Wax Seal to God's Signet Ring"

“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, NIV)

I have recently been rememorizing this and the other verses of Hebrews chapter 1 as I pick up again being more involved in coaching our bible quizzing ministry this year. My experience has been that as I memorize, and really press into the scripture in that way, new insights stand out. Not only do new insights come through the words to my mind and spirit, but I often become more tuned into other insights from those around me. 

For instance, I was preparing to lead the devotional for the quizzers on their opening night and I planned to use the Bible Project video overview of Hebrews. In the video, the narrator (I believe Tim Mackie) describes Jesus as “the rays to God’s sun” and the “wax imprint to God’s signet ring.” Both images were made more powerful by their use of the word “imprint” where the NIV says “representation.” 

I connected with both metaphors and was encouraged again that Jesus is indeed God - fully human while on the earth, but also fully God, then and now. The previous verses in chapter one declare that God used to speak to us through prophets; in other words, He told us “about” himself. We can learn so much about his character and nature by reading, studying, and absorbing those words of the OT prophets, priests, and Kings. 

However, the writer to the Hebrews wanted all the readers to know that while those revelations were all good, they simply couldn’t compare to the surpassing greatness of seeing God in the flesh. And not only did he come in the flesh, but when His work was completed (“provided purification for sins”), he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 

By verse 4 he makes his case; “So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.” And on it goes for several more chapters, in a case analysis of why Jesus is the Son of God, and superior to everyone and everything that the people of God had ever known. 

That is the essence of God-given revelation. Paul would say, “For we know in part, and prophesy in part: but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.” (1 Cor. 13:9-10). There will come a time when the scales will fall from our eyes (Acts 9:18), and we will fully embrace that Jesus is God and the way to eternal life flows through him and the cross. 

The bible is full of the revelation of Jesus Christ. As you read it, study it, even memorize it, your heart will be stirred, your mind increasingly convinced, and your confidence will grow. 

There are so many other things that the bible has to reveal to us. This coming Sunday I’ll spend a few minutes unpacking some of the nature of God revealed through scripture. While the writer to the Hebrews desires that we know the big story of scripture and God’s plan to restore us to himself through Jesus Christ, it doesn’t stop there. Toward the end of the letter, we are called to action. 

It is the combination of surrender to the love of God and action to serve others and make that known that combines into the heart of the two greatest commandments. We summarize those two commands in our mission statement as, “Love God, Love Each Other, and Serve the World.” The pages of scripture are full of this revelation. God’s revelation fuels our ministry passion and goals. 

A question for you: how is God revealing himself to you today? This week? This season of your life? If the season seems kind of spiritually dry, try memorizing some scripture. There’s no right or wrong passage. Memorizing is different than reading, and though you might not quite get it, it will cause you to spend some time, and I believe it will fuel your interest and passion in a new way. 

This morning I sit in my attic, taking in the bright sunshine as it streams through the window. I see through the floating dust in the air the “rays” of the sun. I’m reminded that Jesus Christ is the ray to God’s sun. I’m reminded that Jesus Christ is the “radiance” of God’s glory. I’m reminded that sunshine and the gift of this new day are because of God’s love for all of us. The play on words in Hebrews 1:3 is a beautiful, and poetic God-given revelation to ponder.

May God bring you new insight, revelation, and hope as you read this and consider His love and goodness.

Pastor Scott