He Upholds the Universe by His Power

 

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. (Hebrews 1:3–8 ESV).

 

Our reading today presents Jesus as the supreme, divine Son of God the radiant image of God who sustains the universe, cleanses sin, and reigns eternally. He is vastly superior to angels, inheriting a superior name and throne. It is a summary of what is to come in the rest of the letter. It encourages trusting in his active power, finished work, and supreme authority. We should briefly unpack each of these declarations. They hold the essence of our continued strength for each step of our journey.

 

Jesus is the supreme sustainer of the universe. I have watched the images and reports of the NASA mission of Artemis II. They are spectacular. The mission's trajectory sets several human spaceflight records, including distance from Earth (252,757 miles); distance beyond the Moon (about 4,700 miles); and velocity (atmospheric reentry speed of about 25,000 miles per hour), and the furthest distance humans have traveled from Earth. Yet, the reports continue to affirm others who have traveled into space concerning the incomprehensible vastness of the universe. Jesus sustains it all, seen and unseen!

 

Jesus is not just a messenger; he is the "dazzling radiance" of God’s splendor and the exact representation of His nature. To know Jesus is to know God entirely. And, as God, He is currently upholding all things by the word of his power. This means he is sustaining our life right now. When we feel overwhelmed, we can look to the one who holds the universe together.

 

Jesus has also provided purification for sins. Notice the writer says, “… he then sat down”. This is a position of finished work. There is no "extra" work needed to secure salvation; we can trust in his completed sacrifice. Jesus is superior to angels, a theme highlighted to show his unmatched rank. Angels are servants, but Jesus is the Son—the rightful King whose throne is everlasting.

 

The question we should ask of ourselves is if Jesus is holding the entire universe together, can’t we trust him with the specific, chaotic details of our lives today?