Hebrews 1:3

Shining With the Glory of God

That Jesus was, and is, God come down to earth must be. His glory was testified to by the Father and the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Matthew 3:13-17). He shines forth with the glory that is the glory of the Father (Colossians 1:15; John 1:14). Jesus is God's "express image" like the exact imprint of a seal in wax (Hebrews 1:3).

Lightfoot sees "upholding all things by the word of His power" as referring to Jesus' responsibility for the "providential government" of the universe and His direction of its destiny. Also, Jesus is our redeemer (John 3:16-17). It is in the likeness of His death, burial and resurrection that we are able to put away our old lives of sin. We thereby begin to live a new life (Romans 6:1-23). Jesus was made a purification for our sins. He exercised His priestly office in offering His own blood in sacrifice for our sins.

Jesus told His disciples He would go to be with His Father. He also said He planned to build a place for His people (John 14:1-6). The Hebrew writer declares, with the Psalmist (110:1), that Jesus is on the right hand of God in heaven. It is declared elsewhere in the Bible as well (Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; 1 Peter 3:21-22). His place at God's right hand is pointed to as a glorious hope of His coming again to receive us.