"God's Final Word" (Part 6)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers 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 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. (Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV).

The sixth principle revealed in our reading is the Son is the exalted One at the right hand of God. His redemptive work was followed by a very significant event. It sets Jesus apart from every other religious leader in history. After His death he was resurrected and ascended into heaven to be received with honor and glory. Formally and with great dignity, He was given His prior position at the right hand of majesty. From this position He represents us before the Father. It is the product of His finished work on the Cross. From this position he also awaits every enemy being made His footstool. He is seated with authority in the highest position of the universe. That’s God’s final Word! From this position the writer continues to make the case for men to commit their lives to Jesus in complete trust and faith.

In Africa, the natives use a very simple method for trapping monkeys. They will take a gourd and cut a hole in it just large enough for the monkey to place his hand in it. The gourd is fastened by a chain to a stake in the ground. Inside the gourd a sweet treat of some kind is placed as bait. When the monkey reaches inside to get the treat he is caught by his clenched fist. All the animal needs to do to be free is let go of the treat and withdraw his hand. However, because of his selfish nature, only rarely will the monkey let go and free himself.

I wonder how many times we have been just as foolish as the monkey caught in the gourd? Through selfish desire or ambition we have become too proud to let go and submit to the Lordship of Christ. There’s a great story about a captain of a ship looking into the dark night and seeing faint lights in the distance. Immediately he tells his signalman to send a message, "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a return message is received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north." The captain is angered; his command had been ignored. So he sends a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south. I am the captain!" Soon another message is received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north. I am seaman third class Jones." Immediately the captain sends a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south. I am a battleship." Then the reply comes, "Alter your course 10 degrees north. I am a lighthouse."

In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest, something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our peril. Listen to God’s final Word today. He is calling your name!