(8) The Glorious Son

(Note: This post is part of a series on proof of the deity of Jesus in the New Testament)

Have you ever looked at the sun? In reality, no, you haven’t. You have looked at the rays emanating from the sun, but you have never looked at the sun itself. You can’t. You would be blinded.

Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus 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 (ESV).”

Scientists have studied the sun with all manner of instruments and are able to give us an analysis of its chemistry, size, temperature, physics, etc., but nothing can reveal the sun to us with quite the same effect as the beams of light that come to us from the sun. They warm us, lighten our days, and are even capable of helping maintain a sense of happiness and well-being in us. In the same fashion, prophets and preachers through the ages have been able to tell us much about God in theological terms, but no one can reveal God to us with quite the effect of that One who is the "Brightness" or radiance or "beams of light" of God's glory. (Joe Terrell)

William Hendriksen states, “The Son causes the radiance of the Father to shine forth. The Son's radiance, therefore, is an extension of God's glory.”

Noted Greek scholar Kittel helps us understand the idea of Jesus being the radiance of the glory of God.

The sun as a heavenly body radiates its light in all its brightness and power to the earth. In the same way , we may see Christ as the radiant light coming from the Father as sunlight emanates from the sun.

Ray Stedman gives us further understanding,

Radiance is light that streams forth from a source of light. As no one can separate the sun's light from the sun itself, so also no one can separate the nature of Christ form that of his Father. Whether the radiance is seen as reflected brightness or inherent brightness, the thought is clear: in Jesus we see the essence of God.

We can say then that Jesus "flashes forth" the glory of God in all His divine nature. The one true God in all His glory is the source and Jesus radiates that glory. Jesus is the brilliant shining forth of the glorious nature of God.

In order to understand the full incredible significance of this statement, we need to consider it in light of its context. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience steeped in Old Testament allegiance. The writer is trying to show that the new revelation, leader (Jesus), sacrifice, covenant, and everything else is better now. When the writer of Hebrew speaks of the radiance of God’s glory to this audience, it very likely an allusion to the “Shekinah” presence of God demonstrated to the people of Israel as a pillar of fire.  The familiarity of this reference was even greater since the Jewish Rabbis used the word Shekinah frequently to refer to the presence and glory of God dwelling in the midst of his people.

So the writer of Hebrews is likely referring to the two concepts of the pillar of fire and the Shekinah glory of God to communicate the truth that Jesus is the living presence of this glory. Jesus is the living presence of God. Jesus demonstrates the greatness and glory of God in all its magnificent brilliance. And Oh, how great is that glory!

Stop, look, and have you vision filled with Jesus, up close & personal, the brilliant radiance of the glory of God.

Next:  (9)  God’s Exact Image