RPG Adults
THE QUALITY AND THE WORK OF CHRIST
THURSDAY, JULY 4
Hebrews 1:1-3
Ephesians 1:3-6
“According as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world …”
THE QUALITY AND THE WORK OF CHRIST
Christ is described as “the brightness of his glory” (Heb 1:3). The word rendered “brightness” (Greek: apaugasma) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means properly “reflected splendor,” or the light which emanates from a luminous body. The rays or beams of the sun are its brightness, or that by which the sun is seen and known. The word “glory” (Greek: doxa) means properly “a seeming, an appearance” and then: (1) praise, applause, honour; (2) dignity, splendour, glory; (3) brightness, dazzling light; and (4) excellence, perfection, such as belongs to God and such as there is in heaven (Barnes). Here the writer painted a picture of the proper place of Christ before God the Father. He added that Christ is “the express image of his person.” Thus Christ and God are one. In addition, He did not only create all things, He upholds “all things by the word of his power.” Creation and providence are hereby affirmed. Part of the purpose of His incarnation was the forgiveness of sins. Here the writer used the word “purged,” referring to the purification done by Christ Himself, and not by type as of bulls and goats. Finally, Christ continues to intercede for His redeemed at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
This book describes in a comprehensive manner God’s plan of redemption. It shows that Christ is the key. Thus He is superior to any thing or person that God had used in relating to men. He is the Son of God, the Creator, the beginning and the end. Let us look to Him for complete salvation.
THOUGHT: Christ, my Redeemer, died on the cross.
PRAYER: Father, may I look to Jesus only for my salvation.