Thoughts for the Day

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son;
today I have begotten you’?

Or again,

‘I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son’?

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

My aunt who was also my godmother lived with us for awhile before emigrating to Costa Rica aged 94 (as you do!). She was a remarkable woman. She was bi-lingual Spanish, and could also speak Danish, German, and French. By her late twenties she was working for the Spanish Ambassador in London as his secretary, and indeed continued translating for the Embassy for many years after retiring. After she left us I cleared out various things, and among them found some red sealing wax and a stamp. I remembered fondly her sealing all her important letters and parcels with this before posting them.

This memory came to mind when reading the opening of the epistle to the Hebrews. Historically, we know this as a letter written by St Paul, though most modern theologians have queried this, some wondering if it was written by Barnabas. Either way, it is obviously written to a Christian community who were struggling with their faith because of some strong Jewish influence. The writer describes Jesus as "the exact imprint of God's very being". Like molten wax is stamped with a seal to identify the sender, so is Jesus an imprint of His Father and of God's glory. As a man He offered a once only sacrifice for our sin, and through Him we are told, worlds were created and all things sustained.

Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the Father,
God from God,
we worship You
and prise Your name.
As the Word made flesh
Your gave Your life for ours,
a once only sacrifice.
May we be worthy
of this gift,
and determine to live
a life that reflects
Your love for us.
Amen.