The CV of Jesus Christ

Here's another Hebrews rabbit hole I have been following, and following, and following, to the point where the book of Hebrews has become the main game for me lately - so rich, so full of deep contemplation and personal application.

My original study of spirit, heart and soul (SHS) has paused, maybe finished. With a background in science, mathematics and computer programming, all exploratory pursuits must end up with a definite, justifiable conclusion. It's just the way I am.

However, my SHS study hasn't produced such a conclusion.
Each time I thought I was closing in on one, I would discover other portions of Scripture that didn't agree with it.
So I have parked it to one side and have been lured into making some of the Hebrews rabbit holes my main current studies.

The first of these is from the opening verses of Hebrews:

... he (God) has spoken to us by his Son, (a)
whom he appointed heir of all things, (b)
and through whom also he made the universe. (c)
The Son is the radiance of God's glory (d)
and the exact representation of his being, (e)
sustaining all things by his powerful word. (f)
After he had provided purification for sins, (g)
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (h)
[Hebrews 1 : 2b - 3  NIV]

Clearly, this Hebrews text is giving us a summary of the CV of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man.
(A CV is the usual abbreviation for Curriculum Vitae, Latin for "course of life", and is a written overview of someone's life's work.)

How's that for a CV !!
Let's use a few examples from other parts of Scripture to demonstrate the truths listed here.

(a) Jesus Christ is God's spokesperson
Jesus made it clear on many occasions that he came to do his Father's will and to say what he had been instructed to say.

For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
[John 12 : 49  NIV]
And those words were spiritual and life-giving.
What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit.
[John 6 : 63  GNB]

(b) Jesus Christ has been appointed heir of all things
Everything in the universe is centred around and geared towards Christ - the perfected creation is his inheritance.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
[Colossians 1 : 15  NLT]
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
Revelation 11 : 15  NIV]
With all wisdom and understanding, he (God) made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 8 - 10  NIV]

(c) Jesus Christ made the universe
Genesis tells us that God created the universe and its original contents by speaking it into existence; he used his Word.

John informs us in his Gospel and The Revelation that Jesus is the Word of God and that everything was made through him.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
[John 1 : 1 - 3   NIV]
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
[Revelation 19 ; 13  NIV]

This fact is mentioned in Paul's letters also.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
[Colossians 1 : 16  NIV]

Although limited by the time and space he had created, and the earth-suit he lived in, we continued to get a glimpse of Jesus' creative powers when he was on earth.
For example ...
His first recorded miracle changed water into wine, creating carbon atoms and molecules where only hydrogen and oxygen atoms and molecules had previously existed. (John 2)

When feeding crowds of thousands using only a boy's lunch, he either multiplied that lunch may times over or created the necessary food from scratch. Either way - a creative act. (Matthew 14 and 15)

His miracles of healing often required the instant creation of healthy cells and body parts. (Luke 6 for example)  

(d) Jesus Christ is the radiance of God's glory
He accurately and brightly emits the majestic beauty and splendour of God.
Jesus prayed that he would do this while on earth.

Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
[John 17 : 3  WEB]

He said he would also do this when he returns.

For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.
[Matthew 16 : 27  GNB]

(e) Jesus Christ is the exact representation of his (God's) being

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.
[Colossians 1 : 15, 19  NIV]
... the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
[2 Corinthians 4 : 4  NIV]

Jesus often declared or inferred his oneness with God the Father.

I and the Father are one.
[John 10 : 30  NIV]
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.
Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
[John 14 : 9 - 11  NIV]
My prayer is ... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. ...
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity.
[John 17 : 20 - 23  NIV]

(f) Jesus Christ is sustaining all things
Not only did Christ create the universe, but is its continuing, controlling, cohesive force.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
[Colossians 1 : 17  NIV]
... there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
[1 Corinthians 8 : 6b  NIV]

(g) Jesus Christ provided purification for sins
He not only forgives sins, but destroys the devil's work.

He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.
[Hebrews 9 : 26  NIV]
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
And ... will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
[Romans 8 : 10 - 11  NIV]
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

(h) Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven

 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
 [Mark 16 : 19  NKJV]
 It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
[Romans 8 : 34  NKJV]
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
[Colossians 3 : 1  NKJV]
... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[Hebrews 12 : 1b - 2  NKJV]

Some Biblical authors discuss many of these features together in one sentence since Christ is the beginning and end of everything to do with his creation.
For example, Paul writing to the church at Rome ...

For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed].
To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.
[Romans 11 : 36  AMP]

Blessings, Barry