July 22, 2020
Hebrews 1:1-4
In the past God spoke to our ancestors 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 also 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.  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
New International Version (NIV)
The Three Messiahs of Ypsilanti tells about three patients who all had Messiah complexes.  Their conversations in group sessions were interesting:  one man said, “God told me to do this . . .” and another answered, “I did no such thing.”  Ultimately our unfounded belief that we are in charge of the world is ill-advised and not funny.  Do you ever wonder how God’s voice actually sounds?  Is it like thunder?  Or is it a smooth base voice like that of James Earl Jones?

The writer of Hebrews begins what may have been a sermon with the thought that in the past God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament.  They often began their sermons with, “Thus saith the Lord  . . .”  But when Jesus came and spoke, he ushered in the last days of history.  So God’s voice sounds like Jesus’ voice.  As the Son of God, heir of all things and creator of the universe, he showed us the radiance of God’s glory.  Jesus is exactly like the Father, so he could say to his disciples, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”  Clearly, too, when we hear Jesus we have heard the Father.  At this very moment Jesus is sustaining all things by his powerful word.  After providing purification for our sins, Jesus sat down at the Father’s right hand.

These facts make Jesus incomparable.  The writer of Hebrews will go on to say that Jesus who supersedes the prophets is also greater than angels, greater than Moses, greater than the High priests of the Old Testament.  In fact, the things we learn in these verses mean that Jesus is simply greater than                              .  Fill in the blank:  Jesus>                                .  Tim Keller attributes his call to ministry to a conversation with a Bible teacher who showed him the size of the universe in vivid examples.  Then the teacher asked, “Does the one who made all of this sound like someone you would ask to be your assistant?” 

Good news:  Jesus is greater than the Coronavirus, for example.  Jesus is greater than our pervasive guilt.  For that matter, Jesus is greater than racism and prejudice.  In fact, Jesus is greater than all other gods.  In these difficult days, we desperately need to hear his voice above all the other voices and clamor in our world.  As Andre Crouch used to sing, “We need to hear from you.  We need a word from you.  If we don’t hear from you, what will we do?”  Jesus, the living Word, is the one voice we need to hear today.  When we hear him, truly hear him, we will not confuse him with the voice of any person.

Pray with me:         
Father, your voice echoes like thunder across the ages.  Your voice breaks great trees.  Thank you for speaking to us through the prophets in times past.  Most of all thank you for speaking to us today through your perfect Son.  Today if we hear his voice, let us not harden our hearts, we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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