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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Jesus Christ is not a lesser god; He is God with no qualifications! The New Testament repeatedly affirms this proposition. Today's focus text is one of many clear passages which teaches this truth. It reads as follows: “But to the Son He [God the Father] says: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.'” (Hebrews 1.8). Our message today will note some marvelous implications derived from this verse.
First, let me say that I do not claim to understand all the mysteries of the Trinity. However, the fact that I do not understand all there is to be considered should not detract from what I can know. For instance, I do not understand how God can be onmipresent, but He is. I do not understand how time can have no effect on Him, but it doesn't (He is eternal). I am unable to comprehend how power can issue forth from Him, but nothing about Him is depleted or diminished. These things all conflict with the laws of the material universe as we know them, but then again, we are dealing with God, a being who is not defined by nor confined to the material universe.
Our focus passage indicates that there is a plurality of personalities which make up the godhead. Within this one text, God speaks to another entity and addresses Him as God. God speaks to God! This, whether we can fathom its depths or not, is a stated fact. Without trying to be trite or flippant, God was not talking to Himself! Some entity other than that which was speaking was rightfully called God.
Another fact to be considered is that there are no lesser gods (lower case g) who truly can be called God (upper case g). The fact that God [the Father] called God [the Son] by this name is tremendously significant. While in this text the Greek language utilizes but one word for God (just as we typically use but one English word for God), the context always makes it clear as to whether the being spoken of is Divine and Eternal, or merely a god of man's creation. There are eight passages in the New Testament which use this same word in the plural, and all of them refer to gods which man has made, not eternal Creator God (see John 10.34, John 10.25, Acts 7.40, Acts 14.11, Acts 17.18, Acts 19.26,1 Corinthians 8.5, and Galatians 4.8). Just as the Hebrew writer stated it, God [Divine and Eternal] spoke to God [Divine and Eternal]. Paul tells the Galatian believers “...when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.” Clearly, the Hebrew writer in today's focus text is not contrasting two “levels” of gods as Paul did with the Galatians, but he speaks about one Eternal God.
The second entity in today's text is one whose reign will last forever and ever. In our text, His throne is a symbol for His power and authority. David's throne upon which Christ sits was given to Him upon His ascension into the heavens following His earthly ministry. Peter charged the following: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2.36). Paul commented on this fact with the following: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2.9-11).
When we think of Jesus, we think of Eternal God in every respect. His authority, power, and exalted name are but evidences of this fact. A wonderful prayer for the New Year would be that all mankind would recognize and honor Him for who He is!
Questions:
1. What limits can man legitimately put on God? Why did you answer the way you did?
2. What limits has man (legitimately or otherwise) attempted to place on God through the centuries?
3. Who gave Jesus the name that is above every name? What is significant about the fact that He was given this name? What is significant about the fact that is was given to Him by the person who gave it?
4. What is the Father's will for every person concerning the unequaled name of God the Son?
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