What makes Jesus so unique?

Jesus is a name that gives rise to differing responses. Some think of him as a religious leader who died for his beliefs. Some think of him as a man who was sincere but sincerely wrong. Some consider him evil for promoting himself as someone greater than he was. Christians believe He is so much more.

The first three verses of the Epistle to the Hebrews are astounding. Ray Stedman declared, The epistle to the Hebrews begins as dramatically as a rocket shot to the moon...It is a paragraph daring in its claims and clearly designed to arrest the reader’s attention and compel a further hearing. They boldly teach that Jesus is superior in His person and in His work. He is fully God and fully man, one person with two natures. If those claims are true, Jesus is the most unique person who ever lived. Let’s take a glimpse at the claims in Hebrews 1:1-3. Since I believe they are true, I encourage you to consider them with an open mind and heart and see if a true knowledge of Jesus can transform your life for now and eternity.

The writer to Hebrews emphasizes Jesus’ unique nature. He is the Son of God through whom God now speaks to mankind, Hebrews 1:1-2a, Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. As Son of God, certain privileges were assigned to Him by the Father as noted in Hebrews 1:2b, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. James Moffatt, . . .what the Son was to possess was what he had been instrumental in making. These last days speaks of the time since the incarnation of the Son who though fully God became fully man, one person with two natures.

The characteristics of the Son’s natures are detailed in Hebrews 1:3, 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. This verse is either the most ridiculous statement ever made or the greatest revelation of the person and work of Jesus, the Son of God. In his divinity, Jesus is declared to be fully God. He is proclaimed as the one who holds the universe together by his command. In his deity and humanity, he is identified as the Savior of mankind. He sits with authority at the right hand of God. At such a statement, we must either laugh in derision or bow our knees in submission.

What should these theological statements about Jesus, the Son of God mean to you and me? Consider the following responses.

• R. Kent Hughes, Just as the universe was called into existence with a spoken word, so it is sustained by the utterance of the Son...He can sustain the universe, and he can sustain the struggling, harried church. Jesus is adequate for everything.

• Charles Spurgeon, Surely, if Christ upholds all things He can uphold me. If the word of His power upholds earth and heaven, surely, that same word can uphold you, poor trembling heart, if you will trust him.

• William Barclay, The glory of God is not the glory of shattering power, but the glory of suffering love.

• Charles Spurgeon, Christ at the right hand of God signifies the eternal certainty of His reward. It is not possible that He should be robbed of the purchase of His blood...He has redeemed His loved ones from among men, and He shall have all those whom He has purchased.

I encourage you to join me in the study of the Epistle to the Hebrews which may be found under the Books of the Bible tab. May you know Jesus as the unique person who alone can make an eternal difference in your life.