God's Final Word

Hebrews 1:1-4

On February 15, 1921, there was a doctor who performed an appendectomy. The doctor performing the surgery was Dr. Evan Kane who over his 37-year medical career had performed nearly 4,000 appendectomies, so this surgery was not at all unusual except for two things.

First of all, this was the first time that local anesthesia had ever been used in major surgery. Dr. Kane believed that local anesthesia was safer than putting a patient completely to sleep. Most of his colleagues agreed with him in principle, but they wanted to see first if it would actually work.

So Dr. Kane searched for a volunteer, a patient who would be willing to undergo surgery while under local anesthesia. It wasn't easy to find one. Most people are squeamish at the thought of being awake during their own surgery. Others are fearful that the anesthesia might wear off too soon.

Finally, though, Dr. Kane found a volunteer, and on Tuesday morning, February 15th, the operation began. The patient was prepped and wheeled into the operating room. A local anesthetic was applied. And as Dr. Kane had done thousands of times before, he cut open the tissues and removed the appendix. The patient had only minor discomfort and recovered quickly, dismissed two days later.

Dr. Kane had proven his theory. Thanks to the willingness of a brave volunteer, Dr. Kane demonstrated that local anesthesia was an alternative, even a preferred alternative.

But I said there were two facts that made this surgery unusual. I've told you the first: the use of local anesthesia. The second unusual thing was the patient -- the patient was Dr. Kane. You see, in order to prove his point, Dr. Kane operated on himself. The doctor became a patient in order to convince the patients to trust the doctor.

As unbelievable as that may seem, it is insignificant compared with what Jesus Christ did for us. The Great Physician voluntarily became one of us. He placed himself in our shoes. He left the glories of heaven to live on this earth as one of us -- to suffer our pains and feel our fears. Why? So that when you hurt, you will know that you have someone who understands -- your Great Physician -- and you will have confidence to go to him for healing.

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same....For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:14a,18)

In the book of Hebrews we see that it is like Genesis in that it begins with God. There is no defense of God’s existence, it is just assumed and understood. The book of Hebrews quotes from the Old Testament frequently. This book demonstrates more than any other the fulfillment of the Old Testament. This book references the sacrificial system, the priesthood, the prophets, and the life of the believer. In this passage we see the fulfillment of God’s Word. His Word to mankind has been fulfilled and perfected. Well, I thought God’s Word was always perfect? It is and has been, but through Christ it was completed. God chose to reveal himself to mankind over time. Not all at once but through the course of time he revealed himself piece by piece, and Christ was the ultimate and full revelation of God.

In this passage we see three portraits of God revealing himself through Christ.

First portrait we see is that through Christ God speaks directly to people. In verse 1 the author states that long ago God spoke to the fathers. Throughout the history of the world God has spoke to people. He spoke to Adam and Eve. He spoke to Abraham before he was Abraham. Today God still speaks to his people. He always has and will continue, but the fulfillment of all his promises and actions within the world are fulfilled, completed in Christ. God promised to Abraham that his seed would be a blessing to the world. He never saw the fulfillment to that promise. Yet today, or as the author puts it, “in these last days has spoken to us in his son.” He is seeing, here recently God spoke to us through Christ. Instead of going through a prophet he actually spoke to us himself. Christ is God therefore God is speaking to us directly. God is being intimate with us in that he has come into our midst to speak to us personally. The heir of all things. The one who created all things. He has come into our midst and spoke to us personally.

May I share a time when God gave me a message using the grammar of need? The birth of our first child coincided with the cancellation of our health insurance. I still, don't understand how it happened. It had to do with the company being based in the U.S. and Jenna being born in Brazil. Denalyn and I were left with the joy of an eight-pound baby girl and the burden of a twenty-five-hundred-dollar hospital bill.

We settled the bill by draining a savings account. Thankful to be able to pay the debt but bewildered by the insurance problem, I wondered, "Is God trying to tell us something?"

A few weeks later the answer came. I spoke at a retreat for a small, happy church in Florida. A member of the congregation handed me an envelope and said, "This is for your family." Such gifts were not uncommon. We were accustomed to and grateful for these unsolicited donations, which usually amounted to fifty or a hundred dollars. I expected the amount to be comparable. But when I opened the envelope, the check was for (you guessed it) twenty-five hundred dollars.

Through the language of need, God spoke to me. It was as if he said, "Max, I'm involved in your life. I will take care of you."

Are you hearing the "language of need"? Or how about the "language of affliction"? Talk about an idiom we avoid. But you and I both know how clearly God speaks in hospital hallways and sickbeds. We know what David meant with the words, "He makes me to lie down" (Ps. 23:2 NKJV, italics mine). Nothing seems to turn our cars toward heaven like a frail body.

God speaks all languages-including yours. Has he not said, "I will ... teach you in the way you should go" (Ps. 32:8 NIV)? Are we not urged to "receive instruction from His mouth" (Job 22:22 NASB)? What language is God speaking to you?

And aren't you glad he is speaking? Aren't you grateful that he cares enough to talk? Isn't it good to know that "the LORD tells his secrets to those who respect him." (Ps. 25:14)?

Mark 5 after Jesus healed the Gerasene demoniac he crossed the Sea and came to a town. As he walked through the town the people were pressed against him. A situation many of us would not desire to be in. It sounds like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. And as they are there around him. A lady who has had a bleeding issue for 12 years reaches out and touches his garment thinking if only I touch his garment I will be healed. Jess perceived the touch realizing his power had left to heal her, and he seeks her out personally. He spoke to her personally in the midst of all the people. We serve a God who speaks personally to each one of us. We are his body but we are his children.

Second portrait we see is that Christ is the perfect revelation of God. Verse 3 tells us that he is the radiance of his glory. He is the glow of God. He is the portion of God’s glory that makes him so magnificent and glorious. He is what people see when they look at God. Then we are told that he is ‘the exact representation of His nature.’ I really like the word ‘exact.’ It is so precise. It means there is no difference between one or the other. They are perfect reflections. But Christ is a representation, which means he is not the same. ‘Wait a minute, I thought Christ was God?’ He is but he is not the Father. So however our minds can grasp it, Christ is God but he is also the Son of God. But Christ is the fullest and most exact depiction of God we have ever seen, and what is even better is that Christ is the perfect, exact reflection, representation of God. If you want to know what God looks like then look at Christ. God is compassionate. Christ was compassionate. God is holy and just. Christ was holy and just. God is superior to sin and death. Christ in his death conquered sin and in his resurrection defeated death. Do you want to see perfection? Then look at Christ who is God and a reflection of the Father.

My Child,

I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways (Ps 139:1-3). You were made in my image (Gen 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being; for you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Mt 10:30).

I knew you even before you were conceived (Jer 1:5). I chose you when I planned creation (Eph 1:11). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). I knit you together in your mother's womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Ps 139:13-16). And brought forth on the day you born (Ps 71:6).

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (Jn 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1Jn 4:16). And it is my desire to lavish my love on you simply because you are my child and I am your father (1Jn 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Mt 7:11). For I am the perfect father (Mt 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from me (James 1:17). For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ((Mt 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jer 29:1). Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). My thoughts towards you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Ps 139:17-18). And I rejoice with singing (Zeph 3:17).

I will never stop doing good to you (Jer 32:40). For you are my treasured possession (Ex 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jer 32:41). And I want to show you great and marvellous thing (Jer 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deut 4:29).

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Ps 37:4). For it is I who gave you those desires (Phil 2:13). I am able to do more than you could possibly imagine (Phil 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (2Thes 2:16-17).

I am the father who comforts you in all your troubles (2Cor 1:3-4). When you are broken hearted, I am close to you (Ps 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Is 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Rev 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (Jn 17:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (Jn 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Heb 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Ro 8:31). And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2Cor 5:18-19).

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2Cor 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1Jn 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Ro 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1Jn 2:23). And nothing will ever seperate you from my love again (Ro 8:38-39). Come home and I'll show the biggest party heaven as ever seen (Lk 15:7). I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Eph 3:14-15).

My question is......Will you be my child (Jn 1:12-13). I am waiting for you (Lk 15:11-32).

John 3:35 "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.” The Son receives whatever the Father gives him. The Son does whatever the Father shows him. The Son can nothing that the Father has not given him to do. The Father’s will has been accomplished through the Son. John 8:19 So they were saying to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also." To know Christ is to know the Father. Christ is our reconciliation with our heavenly Father.

Third portrait we see is that Christ is enthroned because He suffered for you. Going back to verse 3, we see that Christ ‘made purification of sins.’ It was Christ who is the exact representation of the Father. There was no other. All of the sacrifices of the Old Testament times were a mere picture of what was to come. They had to offer the sacrifices year after year, but Christ offered once and it was complete. Now that his work is complete, he resides enthroned at the right hand of the Father. He is ‘at the right hand of the Majesty on high.’ He is the radiance of God’s glory. He is next to the Majesty. The king. The Ruler. The Exalted One. The God who Provides. The God who Rescues. He is the Redeemer. He is the Mighty One. He is the Son who accomplished the Father’s will. Through his suffering he accomplished our purification. He made us pure through our trials. Often times, through suffering, we become more like Christ. Through our suffering we are tried and tested to demonstrate our loyalty. Through his suffering Christ demonstrated his faithfulness to accomplishing the Father’s will which was to secure our purification.

The thorn had been pressed into his flesh, and he felt the pain as he called on God to give him the strength to climb the stairs to the pulpit. He remembered the Apostle Paul that had been imprisoned, and that had suffered for many years with a thorn in his flesh. If Paul could continue to hold up the banner, so could the preacher. He had to show the congregation that nothing would keep him from preaching the unadulterated word of God.

The thorn pressed heavily in his side as he felt the pain radiate to the back of his spine. He began to think of Jesus and how his side had been pierced as he lay upon the cross. How the pain must have radiated all throughout his body as the hands, feet and now the side had been pierced. He thought about the blood and water that started out as a small trickle out of that pierced opening and how it almost became a river. How that Jesus still would not die until he decided it was done and finished, and gave up the ghost. If Jesus could still hold on till it was done, so could the preacher. He had to show the congregation that nothing would keep him from preaching the unadulterated word of God. Even if this was to be his last sermon, he would die with a shout for Christ, and his last words would be: ‘ My Father it is done, and I am ready to go home.’

He thought about the thorn and the grimace of pain on his face became a smile as he stepped before his Corinth. Today, they would know the truth as the gracious God above gave him the words to heal their souls. The sweet balm of that knowledge gave him the strength to approach the pulpit one last time.

Matt 26:39 And He went a little beyond {them,} and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." John 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." Christ knew the Father’s will and he set his mind and his heart to endure suffering that we would have the ability to believe in him. We would have the ability to be redeemed and made whole with Christ and the Father.

Are you listening for Christ through His Word?
Are you willing to suffer in order to be made more like Christ?
Has this Jesus the one who is highly exalted, the one who suffered and died for your salvation, has he been exalted in your life? Have you submitted to him? We do not serve an angel, or an exalted man, or a great prophet, but we serve God. The one who created all things, the one who purchased redemption for mankind. Have you placed your faith in Christ that your sins may be forgiven? Have you accepted that he alone can pay your sins? May you meet the Savior today.