Hebrews1: 1-4
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
God’s Son: Much More Than a Medium Prophet
Long ago God spoke to his people, Israel, through the prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, Amos and many more. That was then. This is now. Now, says the author of Hebrews, God has spoken to us by his Son. The change in media communication was not a technological but an essential move on God’s part. While long ago the medium was the mouthpiece of a prophet, now the medium is God’s Son, the very reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s being-essence. Is there any wonder then why our bible study is called The Essential Jesus? The essence of Jesus is none other than Yahweh, the divine name the God of Israel revealed to Moses long ago, but now it is the name God’s Son, Jesus, has inherited.
With allegations of fake news and suspicion surrounding media coverage in the United States, I find it difficult to know what is true and what is not. A hermeneutic of suspicion is operative here. I worry that media outlets across the spectrum have been reduced to mouthpieces of politically motivated propaganda machines. How did we come to a time when our ability to trust in what people say is at this all time low? Exactly how we have come to this time is partly illusive and certainly multi-faceted. At the same time, what is clear is that we cannot pin the sole blame for this present state of affiars on “the other side.” No one side can exempt themselves from having sown the seeds that have produced the erosion of a publically acknowledged truth and a shared common good. Enter postmodernity in its still illusive essence.
In stark contrast, the author of Hebrews puts before us the highest mediator of good news: God himself. As we continue to read the words of scripture do not doubt that God is speaking to you in, with, and through them. God’s words are true. God’s Son, Jesus, is a trustworthy mediator. When the medium himself is a divine person we suddenly find ourselves raised to a higher form of media coverage. How can we keep from standing in awe of this?
