By Mark van Wijk, CCCNZ PastorLink Enabler
'He maha nga wahi, he maha nga huarahi i korero ai te Atua i mua, ara nga poropiti, ki nga matua, I enei ra whakamutunga na tana Tama ana korero ki a tatou, ko tana hoki tera i mea ai mana nga mea katoa, ko tana kaihanga hoki tera o nga ao'
'E tele auala ‘ese‘ese na fetalai mai ai le Atua i o tatou tamā anamua e ala i perofeta; a ‘ua fetalai mai ‘iā te i tatou i nei aso e gata ai e ala mai i le Alo, o lē ‘ua tofia e ia e fai ma ona tofi mea uma lava, na faia fo‘i e le Atua mea uma lava e ala ‘iā te ia.'
'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.'
Hebrews 1:1-2
Several years ago, my grandfather Wally Falconer passed on his many sermon notes and manuscripts to me. From time to time, I enjoy reading portions of them.
I’ve been reflecting on a message he preached on Hebrews 1:1-3 at Ellerslie, Manurewa and Pukekohe assemblies. One of the opening lines caught my attention:
“Nowhere in Scripture is the uniqueness of the person of Christ so evident as here.”
It’s a bold claim, but one that I think stacks up.
In the opening verse, we’re reminded that in the past God had used a range of voices to declare truth, to offer glimpses, to point forward. Then came Jesus Christ—one clear voice, full of grace and truth. The writer then proceeds to build a case for the uniqueness and supremacy of Jesus.
Jesus is the Heir: God’s firstborn son, Christ, has been made the inheritor of all things, a position uniquely his. It’s only through Christ that we get to become joint heirs and are gifted salvation.
Jesus is the Creator: not only does Christ possess all things, but it was through him that they were made in the act of creation.
Jesus is the Revealer: he puts the glory of God on display for all to see. Uniquely fully human and fully God, he’s the exact representation of the Father—to see Christ is to see God.
Jesus is the Sustainer: Christ holds all things together and it’s his power that upholds the order of the universe.
Perhaps most incredibly, this Heir, Creator, Revealer and Sustainer also chose to take on the role of Redeemer. He is the Saviour of mankind, the one who provided purification for our sins.
He has no rival. He has no equal. He is completely unique, and he is supreme over all things.
Let’s continue to worship him, and delight in him!
