He is the radiance of the glory of God (Hebrews 1.3a)

We make much of dynasties, sons and daughters rising to the thrones of their fathers. In a time where many monarchies have diminished to empiric window-dressings the human passion for dynasties has not. We still see political families ascending to power, nepotism bringing new generations to the helms of industries. But bloodlines do not insure success or excellences. Simply because the parent was great does not mean the child will be too. The sons and daughters of caesars are no promise for triumph.

But Jesus the radiance of the Father’s glory is different. The term we understand as Son of God does not give us a full comprehension of who Jesus is. Jesus is the radiance of God. He is not the diminishing returns of some former glory. He is the effulgence of the Godhead. Jesus is the dazzling brilliance that has no comparison, no equal, no rival. He is the visible image of the invisible God. Like the Sun, Jesus is the radiant light emitted from the its core. He is like the Sun and makes the Sun visible to us.

And this Jesus, the radiance of the Father, is our Lord, our Sovereign, our everlasting Savior. We have no fear for the future of our success and salvation because they are secured in Christ. Not success as the world may define it but in how God has ordained it for our lives. We have the capacity to live beyond ourselves, our wildest machinations of success, because we have been imbued with the lustrous authority of our Lord Jesus, who is the radiance of God’s glory.

Jesus, thank you for shining the glory of God in the darkness of my life, redeeming me from my sin and empowering me to walk in your marvelous light.