At Bible study a couple of months ago, I read Hebrews 1:1-3 in a new light. Herein, it spotlights Jesus as the express image of God.
[1] God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets
[2] has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:1-3 NKJV
What does this mean? Let’s break it down.
Time past
In Hebrews 1:1, the writer lets us know in previous times that God spoke to our Fathers by prophets.
The Old Testament tells us of Elijah, Elisha, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nathan, Obadiah, etc. All of these men by whom God spoke in those days. Bringing correction, instruction, and warnings to God’s people.
The era of prophets being God’s sole mouthpiece came to an end once Jesus came.
In these last days
We often hear of the last days, but what does it really mean? Actually, the last days are the days after which Jesus died and resurrected.
So God, in these times, speaks to us by Christ. How? The Word of God, aka your Bible
In John 1, we read about how all things were created by the Word and the Word dwelt among us in flesh.
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[3] All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.
[14] And the Word became 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 1:1 NKJV
The express image
In vs.3, we see Jesus described as the brightness of God’s glory, otherwise known as God’s express image. What does this mean to you & I?
To know God, I can focus my study on Jesus and know everything there is to know. Ultimately, Jesus is the only side there is to knowing God.
[3] And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 NKJV
I’ll leave you with this verse:
[6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NKJV
Many would say there are multiple ways to God, but there’s only one express image/way: Jesus.
Read Previous article: Faith Check: Do you want to know Him?
Thank you for reading – Funmi
