by Jim Harriman
To help us understand who Jesus is, in the passage of Scripture below, I have inserted in brackets, the names of either the Father or the Son to help clarify who Jesus is (Hebrews 1:1-14)
(1) God [the Father], 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 [Jesus], whom He [the Father] has appointed heir of all things, through whom [Jesus] also He [the Father] made the worlds;
(3) who [Jesus] being the brightness of His [the Father’s] glory and the express image of His [the Father’s] person, and upholding all things by the word of His [Father’s] power, when He [Jesus] had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty [of the Father] on high,
(4) having become so much better than the angels, as He [Jesus] has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
(5) For to which of the angels did He [the Father] ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He [Jesus] shall be to Me a Son”?
(6) But when He [the Father] again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God [the Father/Jesus] worship Him [Jesus].”
(7) And of the angels He [the Father] says: “Who makes His [the Father’s] angels spirits And His [the Father’s] ministers a flame of fire.”
(8) But to the Son [Jesus] He [the Father] says: “Your throne, O God [Jesus], is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your [Jesus’] Kingdom.
(9) You [Jesus] have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God [Jesus], Your God [Father], has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
(10) And: “You, LORD [Jesus], in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your [Jesus’] hands.
(11) They will perish, but You [Jesus] remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;
(12) Like a cloak You [Jesus] will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You [Jesus] are the same, And Your [Jesus’] years will not fail.”
(13) But to which of the angels has He [the Father] ever said: “Sit at My [the Father’s] right hand, Till I [the Father] make Your [Jesus’] enemies Your [Jesus’] footstool”?
(14) Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Verse eight leaves no doubt in the reader’s mind that Jesus is God! Verse nine reiterates that thought, and verse ten suggests it was Jesus who made the world and the heavens! The key question when discussing Christ with people of other faiths is, “Who is Jesus?” If one calls himself a Christian, he/she has no choice but to acknowledge that the One who walked among us in Israel 2000 years ago, was actually the One who walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. Next time we end our prayer, “…in Jesus’ name, amen”, let’s not forget who He is. He made the cosmos! Suddenly the Babe in the manger takes on new significance, does it not? He is God. The Text says so. Have a great day!