Hebrews 1:3
“He 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. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”. Hebrews 1:3 ESV
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise for your light has come”
“Arise for your light has come” introduces the significance of the supremacy of Jesus in our walk as believers. The light of Jesus causes us to arise and show forth his glory. People light a lamp and place it where everyone can see it. We must reflect the radiance of God’s glory because Christ lives in us and He refers to us as the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Just like salt adds flavour to food, so should the life of a believer add life, health and God’s glory to those around them.
Christ being the exact imprint of God and sustaining all things by his word has provided purification for sins for you and me by dying on the cross for us, and His resurrection. He has wiped our slates clean. Since we were crucified with Him, we were also raised with him (Galatians 2:20). What manner of joy to know that since we are in Christ we have been made new, the old is gone and behold, the new has come. By the mighty power of His command, we have received the power to become sons of God. Being the “salt of the earth” means that there will be a lot of unsavoury challenges and being “the light of the world” quantifies that darkness will be around us.
Shining Christians
The disciples of Jesus got the name “Christians” in Antioch because of leading their lives like Christ. Some of them were short, tall, dark-skinned, while others were light-skinned. It didn’t matter since their character reflected that of the son of God. Even those who do not know you will consider your actions, interactions, and words. Like footsteps on the sand, so are your actions, words and interactions with onlookers. The watching world must see the “Christ in you” since it’s the only hope the World has to experience God’s goodness and His glory.
Many people might never come to your church, follow you to a bible study meeting or get time to read a bible but they will remain friends with you. If you don’t shine the light on these, the Bible tells us that then you will be in danger of losing your saltiness. Once the salt has lost its saltiness, it’s thrown out of the streets and all who pass step on it, and it’s not fit for use again. He has set us as lights to gentiles so that we can be for salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47).
The effect
Whenever a room is dark, and light comes, it transforms the room completely. Light by itself has no shadow, there is no darkness in it. A candle is lit in someone’s life to grant them peace and offer direction during dark times. When light is revealed, it triggers a response in people. Don’t look down on yourself, take up the mantle and shine from today.
King James Version (KJV)
“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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high”
New International Version (NIV)
“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, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”
New American Bible (NASB)
“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“He 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. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“God’s Son shines out with God’s glory, and all that God’s Son is and does marks him as God. He regulates the universe by the mighty power of his command. He is the one who died to cleanse us and clear our record of all sin, and then sat down in highest honor beside the great God of heaven.”
Reflect The Son
Hebrews 1 tells us Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory. As Christ followers we are to Reflect the Son. Others should see Christ in us. Galatians 2:20 says we have been Crucified with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5 says if anyone is in Christ “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”