what's so special about Jesus?

It’s Advent, one of those great periods in the Christian calendar that helps me feel what can too often been an intellectual faith. The reality of Jesus doesn’t always sink it, but it did this morning as I began reading in Hebrews. The entire salvation story seemed to be capture in a handful of precisely crafted phrased that make up the first three verses of that book:

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 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.”

Finally, because of Jesus, God connects directly to us. But what was so special about Jesus? Those things come rapid-fire in these verses, and I see six of them.

1.       Jesus is God’s son, the heir of all creation.

2.       Jesus was God’s agent in creating the world.

3.       Jesus reveals God to us – he’s the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation of his being.

4.       Jesus sustains everything by the power of his word.

5.       Jesus provided purification for sins.

6.       When all this was done, Jesus sat down at God’s right had to rule forever.

There it is, the entire trajectory of the events that saved me, real-life historical happenings that centuries ago made every difference in all my todays and tomorrows. This the entirety of the Gospel, the greatest news ever told.

It’s also a great summary of Christmas, and an amazing start to Advent. Advent reminds me of the time before – before Jesus came to the Jews, and before I recognized him as my Savior. Both times of darkness, with hints of light and hope to come.

It’s also a reminder to read scripture slowly and thoroughly. That’s a lot in three verses.