"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 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. 3 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. 4 So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs." (Hebrews 1:1-4 NIV)
Jesus is the "exact representation of His being." Jesus is God. It is something I can’t begin to understand, but something I choose to, by faith, believe.
God is portrayed in scripture as one God, but that word is plural. One but plural. One but three. Jesus Himself said, "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30 NIV). The Greek word heis ("one") is used, not only to signify a single thing, but to contrast it against many things. This was more than just a statement that Jesus and the Father are in agreement. They are, in fact, one God. It is a mystery that we may never understand, even in Heaven, but the concept of the Godhead being both plural and singular at the same time is as complex an idea as most of the characteristics of God Himself. God Who is not gendered. God Who is not constrained by time or physicality. God Who is unique to Himself in every way, but Who chose to come to earth and encapsulate Himself in flesh that He might become the propitiation for our sins. God Who I can only worship through faith.
Who is Jesus? Jesus is the God-man Who was born of a virgin 2000 years ago, but Who also existed at the beginning of time and was the Word by which all creation came into existence. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jesus sustains all things not only by His word, but because He is the Word. Jesus is the very expression of God, not separate from God, but fully God. Not even a part of God. Jesus is God. God is Jesus. But they are both completely and fully more. They are the ultimate Being, the ultimate power. They are beyond the universe, apart of it (as They created it), and yet within it through the Holy Spirit (Who is also fully God).
Even as I write, I find myself shaking my head because I can’t find the words to explain what I will never understand but what, by faith, I embrace. The mystery of the Trinity. The mystery of Jesus Who has become my Savior and Lord.
Francis of Assisi wrote:
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
What I can’t understand I can still praise. What I can’t understand I can still worship. That’s the power of faith.
© 2017 Robin L. O’Hare. All rights reserved. Permission granted for nonprofit and church groups to use this article in its entirety (including this notice). For other uses, please contact servinggodalone@yahoo.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment