Hebrews 1:1-4 “The One Who Is the Beginning and the End”

Hebrews 1:1-4 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Our God – Chris Tomlin
• Tremble – Mosaic MSC
• Revelation Song – Kari Jobe
• In Christ – Team Luke Monthly Worship (Korean Praise with ENG SUB)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Who is Jesus? – For Kids – | GQKidz.org – Lesson for Kids
• My God Is So Big (introducing Grayson the Elephant) – Song for Kids
• God Of Wonders – Lifeway VBS – Song for Kids
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Maker Fun Factory Music Videos | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

God is the One who speaks. Through His Word, God created the entire universe and all living beings. He entrusted this world to humans, who were created in His image and communicated His will to them. After choosing Israel as His chosen people, God spoke through Moses and then through the prophets (verse 1). The phrase “at many times and in various ways” means that God’s Word was delivered “intermittently” and “through diverse methods.”

The phrase “in these last days” (verse 2) refers to the time foretold by the prophets as “the day that will come…” the day when God would renew His work of salvation. Jesus Christ came among us as Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:20). The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). While God had given His Word through the prophets, through His Son, He became the Word.

The section from the middle of verse 2, beginning with “God has…,” through verse 4 may have been written by the author of Hebrews or could be a quotation from an early Christian confession of faith or hymn. God appointed His Son as the “heir of all things” and “through Him made the universe.” John 1:1-5 states that the Word (“Logos”) existed from the beginning and participated in the creation of the world with God the Father. Christ will return as the Son of Man to establish the new heavens and new earth. In this sense, Christ is the “heir of all things.” Furthermore, he is the One who sustains all things by his powerful Word (verse 3). This signifies that Jesus Christ is the Creator, Ruler, and Perfecter of all things.

Therefore, Jesus Christ is “the radiance of God’s glory” (verse 3). This means that God’s glory shines forth from him. He is also “the exact representation of His being.” Unlike the prophets, who were messengers proclaiming God’s Word, Jesus is God in the flesh. Later, the church expressed this truth with the term “incarnation.” Having taken on flesh and dwelt among us, Christ “provided purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” This refers to the events of the cross, resurrection, and ascension. The terms “the highest place” and “right hand” should not be understood in a spatial sense but rather as metaphorical language signifying the divine realm. Having completed the work of salvation and returned to his rightful place with God, Jesus is now exalted above the angels (verse 4).

Meditation:

Before administering baptism, the final question asked of the candidate is: “Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” Confessing Jesus as “Lord” means believing he is alive today and actively reigning over one’s life. Confessing Jesus as “Savior” means believing he has saved us from sin and death.

This confession represents the minimum knowledge and fundamental declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. If this confession is genuine, one can be recognized as saved. However, this is not the completion of faith but the beginning. It can be compared to stepping across the threshold into the kingdom of God. Imagine the kingdom of God as a vast national park filled with breathtaking landscapes that leave visitors in awe. Hidden within are magnificent wonders waiting to be discovered. If someone enters through the gate but lingers at the entrance, they miss out on truly experiencing and enjoying the park’s beauty. In the same way, being satisfied with only the minimal knowledge and confession of Jesus Christ means missing out on the depth and richness of life in him.

The author of Hebrews invites readers to embark on a journey of exploring the profound mystery of Jesus Christ. Even in the first four verses, the author conveys the mystery of Christ through various expressions and metaphors. Jesus is not only our Lord and Savior but also the One who created, sustains, and will ultimately fulfill all things. He is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive history, having chosen and led Israel. Jesus came in the flesh and revealed who God truly is. Through his death on the cross, he removed sin, and in the end, he will establish the new heavens and the new earth. The author urges us to wait eagerly for the next part of the story so that we may fully grasp the significance of what Christ has done for us.

Prayer:

Lord, we have thought of you too narrowly. We have reduced you to the limits of our own thoughts, understandings, and explanations. We have entered the garden of God, purchased the admission ticket, and yet lingered at the entrance—this is the reality of our faith. Oh, Lord, break through the confines of our limited faith and lead us to believe in you as who you truly are, in all your greatness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus is greater than we often imagine. He is not only our Savior but also the Creator, Sustainer, and Completer of all things. Faith in him is just the beginning of an incredible journey, and we are invited to explore and experience the fullness of who he is.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • Who is Jesus to you? (Is He a friend, a helper, a teacher?)
  • If Jesus made everything in the world, what is something he created that makes you happy?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Why do you think Jesus is called “Lord” and “Savior”? What do those words mean to you?
  • Have you ever started something (like a book or a game) but haven’t finished it? How is faith like a journey that we need to keep exploring?
• For High School
  • How does seeing Jesus as the “heir of all things” (who will complete everything) change your thoughts about your future?
  • If faith is like stepping into a vast national park, how could you explore and experience Jesus more deeply?