The Glorious Son
Memory Verses
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Background Scripture: Hebrews 1-2
Lesson Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-12
Introduction
The apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, made this statement: "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Cor. 13:12).
Only in eternity will we see face to face, but as we study today's lesson, may we see God a little more clearly than we have. May we see His majesty, His wisdom, His love for fallen man, and the mercy and grace He has given for our redemption. The lesson scripture makes it clear that God is speaking to us today through His Son. He is the one who brings the message of God, His Father, to us. May any veil that clouds our vision be lifted from our eyes so that we can see the glorious Son and give Him the glory and praise that He deserves (2 Cor. 3:14-16).
Key Verse
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Lesson Scripture
HEBREWS 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at anytime, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
Studying the Lesson
Throughout the Old Testament, God used various means to reveal His will to His people. In the beginning, Adam and Eve enjoyed sweet communion with God as they heard His voice in the garden of Eden in the cool of the evening. After Adam and Eve's disobedience, they heard that same voice pronouncing judgment upon them, then giving them the promise of a Redeemer.
God spoke "mouth to mouth" with Moses, not in "dark speech" (Num. 12:8) as He directed him to lead His people out of Egypt. Jacob heard God speak in a dream, after which Jacob made a covenant with Him. The psalmist David received inspiration as he considered God's handiwork in creation (Ps. 8). God chose prophets and inspired them to foretell events, as well as to warn and encourage the people. Their prophecies were not always understood, even by the prophets who spoke them. Sometimes God communicated through types, shadows, and figures. Often these were better understood when they were fulfilled. At various times God sent His angels to deliver personal messages, as He did to youthful Mary who would become the mother of Jesus. God also sent visions, as He did to the apostle Peter, showing him the sheet of unclean animals, which revealed that the gospel was open to all men.
But there was a better day coming. The lesson Scripture states that in the last days God has spoken to us by His Son. This is the best way of all! Jesus is God who came in the form of human flesh to live among us so He could reveal to us in person God's love, mercy, and truth. He is the express image of God, and He has God's glory, majesty, and brightness. His message and His delivery of that message are far superior to that even of the angels, who bow in reverent worship to Him. His message is eternal—Jesus as the Word laid the foundations of the world. When time and the world come to an end, Jesus will still be the same.
The prophets foretold the coming of a Redeemer. John the Baptist preached repentance for sins because the time of salvation was at hand. When Jesus began to teach, the people marveled at His gracious speech. He told them of a way to love their fellowman and to return good for evil. Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9).
When Nicodemus came to Jesus to find answers for his questions, Jesus told him he needed to be born again, not of flesh and blood but of the Spirit. He told Nicodemus that God's love was so great that He sent His only begotten Son from heaven to dwell among men so that He could be lifted up on the cross to die as a ransom for man's sin. Whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus as the glorious Son is the door into the kingdom of God.
Practical Truths for Today
God promised Adam and Eve a Redeemer after they sinned. Jesus came to fulfill that promise. He comes to us with all the authority of God, and His words are true. What does His message do for us?
The experience of the new birth changes the hearts and lives of men; they become new creatures. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). Jesus's disciples and the apostle Paul are examples of the change wrought by the new birth. When the disciples became con verted, they changed from weak, selfish persons to fearless preachers of the gospel, willing to die for their Lord's cause. Paul was converted from an enemy of Christ to a tireless missionary, one who was willing to repeatedly suffer and finally to give his life for the gospel.
When we become converted, we too are changed. The Holy Spirit comes to live within us, to teach us His will and to give direction for our lives. His presence within our heart bears good fruit. He interprets the Bible to us and feeds us with heavenly food (Gal. 5:22-25),
All glory, honor, and praise are due the glorious Son of God. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:5-9).
Like the glorious Son, we must humble ourselves and believe in Him to be a part of the family of God. Because of God's love to us and His Son's sacrifice on Calvary, we can be saved. May we all give Him praise and glory for His unspeakable gift!
Illustration
A Christian brother had business dealings with a man in another community. Even though this man was financially prosperous, adversity came his way. Health issues and other setbacks took their toll and he became depressed. The Christian brother discovered this and wanted to do something to show God's love to his friend. Arrangements were made, and a small group of Christians traveled to his home and spent an hour singing hymns and encouraging him and his family. He was so impressed how much God loved him that he began to openly testify to his neighbors and friends. Another neighbor heard his testimony, and he likewise felt the call of God's love and desired to be His child. As he began to search for God, he testified that conditions in his life and that of his family began to improve. God's love was radiating, drawing people to Himself, as He said in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This is the message of the glorious Son.
Questions
- What causes us to make the way of salvation complicated?
- The early martyrs went joyfully to their deaths, thankful that they were counted worthy to suffer with Christ. Is this a special blessing that God would give to any of His children if they were called to make this sacrifice?
- What are ways God speaks to us through His Son?
- How do we keep the message of "good tidings of great joy" alive in our hearts?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).