Jesus

Lately, I find myself compelled to read Hebrews. Usually when I'm "compelled" to read something, I blaze right on through it, speed reading to get the high points, and then "yes, Lord, it's good! What's for lunch?"

I was compelled and I read it. In one sitting, like I usually do. And then right when I got to the end, ready to dust my hands off and move on, I heard, "OK, read it again. Slowly."

It's an awful thing to say, but even when I read it this first time, I thought it was good...and that's all I thought. So this "read it again" business is pushing me out of my comfort zone. Which is exactly why I should do it.

So, I have been reading Hebrews 1. Only. The first. Chapter. This is a painfully slow pace for me, and yet, there is something for me here. 

Or someone.

That first chapter slaps you right in the face with the fullness of Jesus. 

Confession time: I have struggled with loving Jesus. There, I said it. 

For some reason in my mind, Jesus has been the hardest one to love. God, my father, my friend, the one who is sacrificial and full of plans and knowledge, I don't have any trouble with Him. I get Him. The Holy Spirit, mysterious, hard to grasp but I feel His help all the time.

Jesus has kind of always been an afterthought.

Oh, it feels like blasphemy. I promise this will get better.

I don't even know why I have felt that way. I've prayed for God to create a love for Jesus in me. And really, things have changed over the years. I would say I have developed an appreciation for Jesus, but the deep love I'm supposed to have has alluded me. 

Until the other day I read a quote on Facebook. I don't honestly remember what it was, but I do know that it completely left Jesus out of the equation when it spoke of our saving. And a fire in me stirred.

It makes sense that in our culture, Jesus is the hardest. He was brutally honest, completely controversial, brutally murdered, and the things he said are true are hard to take in. He just doesn't fit easily into our understanding of the world today.

Why do you think that the entire first chapter of Hebrews is dedicated to showing us who He is, that we might not be mistaken? It's so easy to write Him off. God forbid we do it, but isn't it easy to not look Him in the face? 

But there, in the first chapter of Hebrews, He is found. In the fullness of glory, grace, holiness, and provision, He sits on the throne. I'm pretty sure someone who "upholds the universe with his power" is not someone to be ignored.

You can't remove Him from the equation. If you do, you're left with questions that have no answer.

Jesus is the unapologetic answer to the the question of what do we do about sin. He is not a weak pawn in God's plan but a powerful, willing sacrifice in our stead.

Oh, how I wish I had had a better understanding of Him.

So, I repent of my ignorance. My willful obliviousness to who He truly is. I embrace Him for the salvation He offers me, I ask Him to show me how He is more than enough. May He create in all of us a deep understanding of who He is and what's He's done, because it's the greatest story ever told.

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making 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.

Hebrews 1:3-4