He is the brightness of God’s glory
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power… (Hebrews 1:3 KJV)
Jesus, the Word of God, is the brightness of God’s glory. The glory of God is often pictured as light. This is more than figurative language that uses light as a natural allegory or symbol of the glory of God. Many times when God’s presence shows us on earth, the environment lights up.
The verse above uses very precise and profound language to describe Who our Lord Jesus Christ is. He does not bring God’s glory. He is that glory. Similarly, He does not reveal God’s glory. He is the glory of God. And the next clause in the verse helps us understand the context of the glory of God.
It says Jesus is the express image of His Person. Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God. The glory of God is not something about God. It is God Himself in revelation or expression. Remember that God created heaven and earth, and so was outside of heaven and earth. God is revealed to His creation, both in heaven and on earth. He is so beautiful, majesty, and full of splendor that whenever He becomes visible in any way to His creation, there is awe that accompanies the sight of the glorious God.
His Word is the God that is visible or revealed to His creation. Jesus did not have a physical light around His head while He was on earth, but His person was the exact visible manifestation of the invisible God!
MEDITATE
Why is the glory of God often described figuratively as light? Please take a moment and say the words in the verse above out loud again and again as you meditate on them.
APPLY THE WORD
If Christ is the glory of God, then you can understand why scripture says “Christ in you the hope of glory”. You have been made a partaker of the glory of God in Christ. Arise, shine!
PRAY
Thank the Lord for the wonderful eternal gift of His glory to us.
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