Many voices compete for our attention, clamoring to be heard. Family and friends. Institutions and individuals. Politicians and entertainers. Voices without and voices within. All are speaking. But one voice above all others deserves our attention.

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, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:1-4)

A Revealing God

The living God has spoken to us. This is amazing! He is a communicating God who wants not only to be known but also to be heard.

In these opening verses of the letter to the Hebrews, an entire theology of biblical revelation is encapsulated.

Progressive Revelation

God has spoken progressively. He did not reveal Himself all at once but over a period of time (at many times) and by various methods (in many ways).

He spoke to the patriarchs by dreams and visions. He spoke to Israel through tablets of stone given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. He spoke in the age of the monarchs through the oracles of prophets.

The Supreme Revelation

God has not only spoken progressively, but His word has culminated in the supreme revelation of His Son, Jesus. The first two verses make this point through a series of contrasts, between:

• God’s word in the past (long ago) and His eschatological word now (in these last days);

• The audience then (to our fathers) and now (to us);

• The medium of the message then (by His prophets) and now (by His Son).

Why Jesus Is God’s Supreme Word

Verses 2b-4 give eight descriptive statements about God’s Son, which function as eight reasons we should listen to Jesus above all others. We should listen to Jesus because:

• He is the heir of all things (v. 2).

• He is the one through whom God created all things (v. 2).

• He is the radiance of God’s glory (v. 3).

• He is the exact imprint of God’s nature (v. 3).

• He upholds the universe by the word of His power (v. 3).

• He has made purification for sins (v. 3).

• He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (v. 3).

• He has become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs (v. 4).

These eight descriptions of Jesus can be summarized in terms of His essential nature (God), His personal work (Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer), and His exalted status (enthroned at God’s right hand and superior to the angels).

Pay Attention!

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Heb. 2:1). Since Jesus is the supreme revelation of God, everything else God has spoken (i.e. the Old Testament) must be understood in light of Him.

How much more should you and I give our attention to Jesus rather than to the competing voices of our day?