Contemplative Bible Reading

Hebrews 1:1-4 (New English Translation)

1 After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, 2 in these last days he has spoke to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. 3 The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and who when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 4 Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

What strikes me about this description of Jesus, the Son, is how the cleansing of our sins is almost an afterthought. Note the mentions of the Son:

1. God spoke to us in the Son
2. The Son was appointed heir of all things
3. Through the Son, God the Father created the world
4. The Son is the radiance of the father’s glory
5. The Son is the representation of the father’s essence
6. The Son sustains all things
7. The Son accomplished cleansing for sins
8. The Son sits at the right hand of the father
9. The Son became for better than angels
10. The Son inherited a name superior to the angels

Item number seven of ten is about the amazing cleansing of all the sins of all of us for all the ages. We tend to think of that one as the one and only important thing the Son of God did and is, and for good reason. That is pretty darn important. Do we, however, shortchange the Son by forgetting all these others things in just this one little list.