December 20: Who Is This Jesus?

This post is part of a series of Christmas Devotionals by Dr. John Neihof, president of Wesley Biblical Seminary. You can find all of the devotionals by clicking here.

Scripture passage: Hebrews 1:1-3

As we are entering this Christmas season, I invite you to consider the question, “Who is this Jesus?”

“… 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 1:3 NKJV).

He is the RADIANCE of God’s glory, the exact REPRESENTATION of God’s being, the eternal REALITY through His Word, our RIGHTEOUSNESS, and sits on the RIGHT hand of the Majesty of heaven. Who is this Jesus?

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory…” (Hebrews 1:3a NIV).

• Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 1:18).
• Jesus Christ is the Pre-existent Christ (John 1:1).
• Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

Jesus Christ is the exact representation of God. Jesus is God. On one occasion (John 14) Thomas and Philip were expressing some reservation about Jesus’ authority in relation to the Father.

Thomas asked him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered by describing himself as the way, the truth, and the life. “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8).

Jesus answered, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” (John 14:9).

Jesus Christ is the eternal reality revealed in God’s Word. He is the Creator of all things.

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:15-17).

Jesus Christ is the Lord over creation. He is the express person of the Godhead pictured here as superintending the creation of the world, the earth, the universe, and all created life. As such, He is supreme, sovereign, and pre-eminent over all creation.

Jesus Christ sustains all things.

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).

Transition:   Who is this Jesus? “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.   After He had provided purification for sins… ” Heb. 1:3a,b,c,d

Jesus Christ is our righteousness. He is the one who purges and purifies us from all sin.

“… when He had by Himself purged our sins” (Hebrews 1:3 NKJV).

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (I Corinthians 1:30 KJV).

Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. His work is completed. God’s right hand is a place of honor, power, and authority befitting one who has sacrificed all for our salvation in complete obedience and submission to the Father.

“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12-13).

“We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1).

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Who is this Jesus? He’s the Son of God. Let’s welcome Him to our lives this Christmas.