The Radiance of God's Glory

Hebrews 1:1-4

I already focused on the first couple of verses but the authour continues his thought in these next verses. The theme starts in verse 2 where the authour claims that the universe was created through Christ and then goes on into verse 3 where he develops his claim that Jesus is inseparable from God: he is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God's being.
The authour clearly sees Christ as sitting on the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus at his trial before the high priest and a parallel vision to that of Stephen in Acts 7, just before his death. It refers to the authourity that Jesus has - equal to God's authourity.
The authour makes a comparison in verse 4 that I don't completely understand. Jesus is as superior to the angels as his name is superior to their name. The name that the authour is referring to is found in verse 5: Son. It points to a more intimate relationship than the angels have with the Father. It also indicates a greater inheritance than the angels have. The point is that Jesus is superior to the angels.
For me the reminder is that it is all about Jesus. He is superior. I lack the language to describe the emotional response that I have to this. I think part of it is fear that I have allowed other things to become superior to Christ in my life. I think part of it is awe at the majesty and authourity of Christ. I think part of it is humility at the work that he accomplished in my life and in the world - the purification of sins. As an aside, talk about an understated way to describe the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ: "after he had provided purification for sins..." It reminds me that if Christ is the radiance of God's glory then the way for me to bring glory to God is to keep Christ central and superior. It brings me to the place of worship. Which is exactly where I need to be.