The Radiance of the Glory of God

Hebrews 1:1–4 – Jesus Is Better
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time  – September 28th, 2025 (am)     

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 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. 3 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

More than anything else during these present days, God’s children want to hear from Him—they want to know what He expects of them and how to please Him. Even those who don’t believe in God acknowledge that about believers. I heard it put most simply and clearly in, of all places, a Star Trek TNG episode. When an honorable man from a pre-industrial people accidently observed the advanced technology of the Enterprise crew, he concluded that the Captain must be a god. And that led him in a very short time all the way to the brink of human sacrifice, believing that’s what this god wanted. Trying desperately to stop this man from an innocent but tragic murder, the ship’s counsellor said: That’s the problem with believing in a supernatural Being, trying to determine what He wants.

The unbelieving world thinks it’s impossible to hear from a supernatural being, but even so they recognize that the highest priority for anyone who does believe in a deity is to hear Him speak, to know with clarity what pleases Him. And that’s precisely how Hebrews opens. 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…. Jesus’ name isn’t mentioned until 2:9, but there’s no doubt He’s the One we meet in today’s text. And following these four brief verses, I’d say we can know Him pretty well, and also His Father, and also His purpose not only in [speaking] to us, but in making us initially, and then in making us anew! Let’s unpack vv.1-4 under three headings.

What We Hear in Jesus

These four verses are one sentence in the original (France 37). But even so, the first two—or two-and-a-half, or three—give us that Jesus is better than the OT prophets. Even, so the fourth—or the third and fourth, or half of the third and the fourth—already transitions toward Jesus being better than the angels. The first half of v.3 is a rich swing-statement that makes its own contribution to our understanding of Who Jesus is, and so it adds to both parts. That’s why you’ll see some outlines that have the opening two verses as one section, others the opening two-and-a-half or three verses, and still others the opening four verses, as we’re doing here. So, we’re favoring a grammatical structure over thematic in selecting today’s text, but we’re paying attention to both.

Most simply put from vv.1-2, in Jesus we hear the voice of our God. First, we must note that. It’s no small matter that our God [speaks]! He didn’t have to, but He does! And He has! Historically, God spoke [through] prophets. Now he has spoken by his Son. And more: He’s spoken to us by his Son! He’s given us just what we need, just what we want: to hear from God!

This opening in Hebrews is so much like what we heard at the opening of John’s Gospel. Joh.1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. God has spoken with clarity and finality through his Son. Long ago there were many prophets who spoke to [God’s people] (our fathers) at many times and in many ways. But in these last days, our days—the last days being all days between Jesus’ first coming and His return—he has spoken to us by his Son, in every way a superior expression, communication, message. It’s no longer a mere prophet who speaks, it’s God’s Son. It’s no longer a piecemeal message spread out among multiple messengers at multiple times. It’s a full expression of God Himself (3) all at one time in one place. That which is communicated in parts, sections, fragments, must of necessity be imperfect; and so also a representation which is made in many modes cannot be other than [temporary, passing]. The supreme element of unity is wanting in each case. But the Revelation in Christ, the Son, is perfect both in substance and in form (B.F. Westcott in Hughes 36). This thought is actually present in the language of the text: neb translates at many times in many ways (1) as in fragmentary and varied fashion (Hughes 36).

In Jesus, God is here! And He’s [speaking]! And as He speaks, we hear what God wants us to hear! Joh.12:49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me. And we don’t just hear God by his Son, we also see Him.

What We See in Jesus

Jesus 3 … is the radiance of the glory of God…. The similarities with John’s prologue (Joh.1:1-18) continue. Remember how he spoke of the Son? Joh.1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And he finished with: 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, namely, Jesus, he has made him known. Here the author says: 3 He is … the exact imprint of [God’s] nature…. Jesus has shown us God! As Jesus said to Philip in the upper room: Joh.14:9 … Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Squaring the language of v.3 here with trinitarian theology that one of our adult classes is studying right now, while “the [radiance of the glory of God” suggests the oneness of the Son with the Father, “the [exact imprint] of his nature” suggests the distinctness of the Son from the Father; [even] though … both oneness and distinctness are implicit in each (Hughes 41).

The Son’s role in creation is also central both here and in John 1, seeing God in what He’s made (cf. Rom.1:20). There: Joh.1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Here, He’s the One 2 … through whom [God] created the world. And more, 3 … he upholds the universe by the word of his power. He carries all things forward on their appointed course (Bruce 49), to the predestined consummation which [was] implicit [from] their beginning. God creates the world in accordance with his will and purpose, and what he has created he sustains and directs toward the fulfillment of that purpose (Hughes 45). That’s what we see in Jesus, God being God.

What We Have in Jesus

But when it comes to what we have in Jesus, we learn here that not even human sin and rebellion could stand in the way of God’s achieving His predetermined end through his Son. Jesus simply came, resolved this utterly irresolvable issue—He [made] purification for sins (3)—then 3 … he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (cf. Psa.110:1, 5), 4 having become as much superior to angels—beings so glorious we’d be inclined to worship them if we saw them (cf. Rev.22:8-9)—as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs (cf. Phi.2:9-11; cf. Psa.8:5-6).

This purifying work of Jesus will be explored in some detail as this brief exhortation (13:22) unfolds. And it’s as glorious a work as God has accomplished. But here, it’s sufficient to note that, once Jesus finished it, he sat down at the right hand of [God most] high (4). The job was done. It was done fully and well. It was done in a manner worthy of God and to the full satisfaction of the Father. It was done in such a way that it not only confirmed the glorious nature of the Son well beyond the glory of angels (4), but it also confirmed His worthiness to be the heir of all things (2; cf. Psa.2:8).

This array of statements about Jesus here recalls the great Christological hymns in Colossians and Philippians.

Col.1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Phi.2:6 … though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

3 … After making purification for sins, our sins, [our Savior] sat down at the right hand of the [Father] on high, the place from which He’s now interceding for us (Rom.8:34), for all of us who believe—just part and parcel of His ministry to us in making purification for our sins. In the words of F. F. Bruce, [Jesus] possesses in himself all the qualifications to be the mediator between God and the human race. He is the Prophet through whom God has spoken his final word; he is the Priest who has accomplished a perfect work of cleansing for his people’s sins; he is the King who sits enthroned in the place of chief honor alongside the Majesty on high (Bruce 50). This is what we have in Jesus!

Conclusion

And this glorious expression is merely the opening sentence of the brief exhortation (13:22) that we call Hebrews. Jesus is the complete and perfect expression of God. And He’s been spoken to us by God in these last days. What great days these are to be alive!

I’ve heard it said by many over the years that they wish they could’ve lived during previous times in salvation history when the voice of God was heard from heaven and the prophets spoke His Word and will audibly, at times acting it out for all present to see. It seems like God was nearer in those days, they say, or something very much like that.

But that’s not how it was at all. The people were terrified when God showed up and began to [speak]. Exo.20:18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Those were also the times when they needed to go to the Temple regularly to offer sacrifices for their sins, rather than just bowing their heads in prayers of confession and repentance. They’d not yet become the Temple as we are today, the place where God dwells in this world. As Jesus said: Mat.11:11 … among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven, each of us, is greater than he. These are all themes we’ll be meeting in Hebrews.

But for this morning, we’re simply meeting the One through Whom we receive them all. And we’re immediately introduced to His uniqueness—the eternal, exalted, glorious Son of God Who also humbled Himself to make purification for [our] sins (3). This book of Hebrews is all about Him. And He’s a worthy Subject for this author to be extolling. And the point we just made about Him is the one we should take away with us today. Jesus [made] purification for our sins; He addressed and resolved the absolute greatest problem we have in this life: that which separated us from relationship with God. So, our undivided allegiance is due to Him. And that’s a big part of His gift to us, the ability to offer Him the allegiance He’s due. In short, Jesus has brought God near to us, perfectly spoken to us His Word and will, then delivered us from our sins, and therefore from any sense of need for anything more or other than Him. What a gift this is, one that couldn’t be given by any other being in all the universe! (cf. Bruce 49) Such is the uniqueness of the supremacy of Jesus, the Son of God.

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Resources

Anders, Max, gen. ed. 1999. Holman New Testament Commentary. Hebrews & James, by Thomas D. Lea. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.

Arnold, Clinton E., gen. ed. 2002. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary. Vol. 4, Hebrews to Revelation. Hebrews, by George H. Guthrie, 2-82. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Barclay, William. 1976. The Daily Study Bible Series. The Letter to the Hebrews, Revised Edition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.

Beale, G. K., & D. A. Carson, eds. 2007. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Hebrews, by George H. Guthrie, 919-995. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Bruce, F. F. 1990. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Calvin, John. 1553. Commentary on the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, trans. by, John Owen. Logos.

Carson, D. A., R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham, eds. 1994. New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. Hebrews, by David Peterson, 1321-1353. Leicester, Eng.: InterVarsity.

Clendenen, Ray E., gen. ed., David S. Dockery, NT ed. 2010. The New American Commentary. Vol. 35, Hebrews, by David L. Allen. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.

Dever, Mark. 2005. The Message of the New Testament. Ch. 19, The Message of Hebrews: Sticking with the Best, 413-425. Wheaton: Crossway.

Fee, Gordon D., gen. ed. 1990. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. The Epistle to the Hebrews, Revised Edition, by F. F. Bruce. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Grudem, Wayne, ed. 2008. ESV Study Bible. Study notes on Hebrews, by David W. Chapman. Wheaton: Crossway.

Guthrie, George. 1998. The NIV Application Commentary. Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Hubbard, David A., & Glenn W. Barker, gen. eds. Ralph P. Martin, NT ed. 1991. Word Biblical Commentary. Vols. 47a, Hebrews 1-8; Vol.47b, Hebrews 9-13, by William L. Lane. Dallas: Word.

Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. 1979. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Longman III, Tremper, & David E. Garland, eds. 2006. Revised Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 13, Hebrews-Revelation. Hebrews, by R. T. France, 17-195. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Morris, Leon, gen. ed. 1983. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Vol. 15, Hebrews, by Donald Guthrie. Downers Grove: InterVarsity.

NEXT SUNDAY: Let All God’s Angels Worship Him, Hebrews 1:5–14