Brighter than the Sun
(Read Hebrews 1)
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
Luke 2:9
There was a light unlike anything ever seen at the announcement of Jesus’ birth. The shepherds didn’t know what to make of this. I’ve always imagined God’s glory to be the brightest light ever, significantly brighter than any other specific thing. Kind of like being outside on a sunny day when you shield your eyes because of the sunshine, only to catch a reflection shimmering on the water that’s even brighter. That’s when you realize true brightness.
Interrupting the shepherds’ dark night were supernatural flood lights illuminating the skies. Rather than cowering and retreating from an uncomfortable and unfamiliar sight, the shepherds did the opposite. They instantly recognized the significance of the moment and hurriedly rushed to Bethlehem for a glimpse of the newborn King. (Luke 2:15-16)
With the holidays complete and family returning to their own ways, I’ve been wrestling with a bit of emotional darkness lately. Some of the reasoning is known to me and some of the despair is from indistinguishable tangles below the surface. Like most people, I entertain these sad feelings more than I should and sometimes let them fester. Compared with so many others I know, everything in my life is fine. When I think about it, I have no reason for the blues. These feelings remind me of the apostle Peter dropping into the sea upon taking his eyes off Jesus. For me too, it’s when I take my eyes off Jesus that I find myself sinking like Peter. As a believer, I recognize that it’s a season. It’s OK to feel down if I don’t stay in the dark water. To stay on top, I pray and look to Scripture for this reminder.
“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.”
Hebrews 1:3
Much of the book of Hebrews is devoted to the divinity and supremacy of Jesus Christ. The writer was realigning the early believers to the fact that Christ was not just a priest and a prophet, but that He was also equal to God because He was God. The Greek word used in some translations of this passage, “characktēr,” means exact imprint or representation of God. Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. When we look at the sun, we’re not seeing edges of a structure as much as we’re seeing light. When we follow Jesus, we also see God’s glory in His exact replica. Radiance can’t get any brighter.
According to some experts, the Luxor Lamp in Las Vegas, Nevada is the brightest “thing” on earth. The light that the lamp illuminates is produced by passing electricity through xenon gas, creating a staggering 42.3 billion candela. For perspective, one candela is about the same as the light intensity of one normal candle. So put 42 billion of them together, emanating from one source. Until they dimmed it, the light from the Luxor Lamp light was visible a few hundred miles away. Now contrast that with a Supernova, which is a powerful, exploding star. A supernova is 570 billion times brighter than the sun and 20 times brighter than all the stars in the Milky Way combined. We think we know brightness until we come across something brighter.
When we need radiance to light our way through good times and bad, we don’t need to look far. Every radiant beam of God’s glory is clearly visible in Jesus. In Old Testament days, no one could see God’s face and live. Jesus changed all of this. By dying in our place, He became the light of God we can see. With Jesus, we no longer need to shield our eyes. Jesus’ glory is every bit as majestic, perfect, and radiant as God’s and the best news is that it’s accessible to us.
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality
James 2:1
The apostle James wrote that people couldn’t be lukewarm about loving their neighbors if they have truly put their faith in Jesus. Much of this chapter is about treating all people equally, rich and poor, but we’re going to spend time talking about how James described Jesus. A possible translation of this passage says, “Jesus Christ, who is the glory.” It wasn’t a passive statement; it was a declaration. James and the other New Testament writers showed unfailing belief of Christ’s full deity. Any reference to God’s glory, was a reference to Jesus’ glory.
The epistle James is thought to be one of the oldest letters of the New Testament written sometime between AD 44 and 48. By examining the passage above, we see that even the earliest Christians came to know that God’s glory burns just as bright in Jesus as it does in God. For the Jewish readers at the time, they understood that glory was in God’s presence, glory was in the tent and the temple. James wrote that Jesus isn’t a knock-off imitation of God’s glory, He is the human form of it.
Simply put, Christian faith is faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord of glory can provide everything we need at all times and forever. If we trust in the Lord for all we need, why look anywhere else? Why look for human things, why look in the darkness when we have the glory of God in the fullness of Jesus Christ? By having the proper view of Jesus, we have the proper view of others.
Light dispels darkness. Where there is light, darkness can’t remain. Where there is light, everyone and everything notices. It draws attention. Christians are the light in the darkness and Jesus is the light of the world. It’s darkness or Jesus. How bright is the radiant glory of Jesus? There is nothing brighter than the Son.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Key Application:
- Read Hebrews 1. Do you see and feel Jesus Christ when you look at light?
- How can you be a light to others? Reach out and be that glimmer of hope to someone who is living in darkness. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a friendly smile or an honest conversation.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.