Hebrews 1:3—“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
In this soaring Christological declaration, the writer of Hebrews presents Jesus not merely as a messenger but as the ultimate revelation of God. Contextually, this was written to Jewish believers tempted to retreat into the shadows of the Old Covenant. The author counters this by showing that Christ is the substance that the shadows prefigured.
Two phrases of this verse define Christ’s nature. First, He is “the brightness of His glory”. He is the radiant outshining of God’s own glory, not a reflection but the very effulgence of the divine nature. Christ is the out-raying (brightness: apaugasma) of the Father's essence. To see Jesus is to see God in His full radiance. Second, He is the express image of His Person”. The Greek charaktēr refers to an exact imprint, like a seal pressed into wax. Jesus is the precise representation of God’s invisible being.
Furthermore, Christ’s Sovereignty and Sufficiency are defined. He “upholds all things”. He sustains all things. The universe is not a runaway clock but is sustained by His “word of power”. It is not self-sustaining; it is upheld, moment by moment, by Christ.
Yet, this cosmic Ruler is also our Priest. Having “by himself purged our sins”, He has accomplished the work that animal sacrifices could never fully accomplish. This points to the sufficiency and finality of His atoning sacrifice. He needed no assistance; He accomplished redemption alone (Isaiah 63:3).
Finally, “he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”, signifying the completion of His work and His exaltation in supreme authority. In the ancient Tabernacle, there were no chairs because a priest’s work was never done. But Jesus sat down because the debt was paid. Are you weary from trying to “cleanse” yourself? Look to the One who has already purged your sins. Your salvation rests on the finished work of the One who holds the stars in place. Amen.