The Names of the Mediator (5)

Brightness

“Who being theBrightnessof His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).

The apostle writes in the letter to the Hebrews, “Who being the Brightness of His glory…” We must distinguish a source of light and the rays emanating from it. We see the sun in the sky, and we see its rays. These rays are the brightness of the sun. Christ is the Brightness of the Father’s glory. When this name is used by the apostle in the first chapter of the letter to the Hebrews, he first introduced Christ as Creator (verse 2). He also describes in the third verse that the second Person in the divine Being is the Sustainer of all things. Here he writes about the divine nature of the Mediator. This is important. When the apostle uses the name Brightness, he is talking about the deity of Christ.

This must be distinguished from the glory of God that was revealed in the human nature of the Mediator. About this John writes, “And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” John here points to the unspeakable miracle that the light of divine virtues in Christ became visible to lost sinners. However, the name Brightness in the letter to the Hebrews refers primarily to the relationship between the Father and the Son. Christ is God of God, Light of Light (Nicene Creed), but the Father and the Son are distinct persons. The sun and the rays are not the same. The Son of God performs the work of the Father and shares perfectly in the glorious virtues of the Father. The name Brightness points to the perfect divine glory of the Son. His majesty is a divine majesty. This name teaches us how insignificant we are over against Christ.

How often the Saviour is spoken of as if He were our friend. Actually, the human nature of Christ is then separated from His divine nature. However, the apostle sets before the Hebrews: when we speak of the Saviour, we are speaking of a divine Majesty. Be careful in your speaking of Him! Realize how superior He is. This is also experienced by a poor people who dare not approach to Christ. They realize that He is so great, and they themselves unworthy, damnable sinners. We may well ask ourselves: How do we think and speak of the Son of God?

Do we know our place in relation to the Brightness?

—January 14, 2010, Rev. C. Neele

Child

“For unto us aChildis born…” (Isaiah 9:6a).

The beginning of the ninth chapter of Isaiah’s prophecy speaks about a people walking in darkness, about people living in the land of the shadow of death. We understand from Matthew 4 that this refers to the semi-pagan Galilee. There, lived a people in great ignorance and misery. Who could help and save them? This would certainly require great and powerful people. How else could it become light in these miserable, dark circumstances? Isaiah may point out the Saviour; it is a…Child. Must a child not be helped himself? Yes, but with this Child it is different. His birth gives light and unspeakable joy. Nor is it just any child, it is “Thy holy Child Jesus” (Acts 4:27), a pure, spotless Child, without sin. He will teach the ignorant all things and shine the light of His life in the land of the shadow of death.

The birth of a child gives joy. This holy Child is being revealed. In this last word lie two matters: opening and giving birth. This is what a spiritually wretched person so needs. The Word must be opened to the heart. The name Jesus becomes precious, but the need is going to be pressing. He must be known personally. When by faith one may look upon this born Child, there is an inexpressible joy. Then deep wonderment fills the heart. Was this holy Child willing to bow so deeply for such an unholy, guilty sinner? At the birth of John the Baptist, it was sung, “O precious child, O matter of joy, gift of the omnipotent One” (Dutch rhymed version). How much richer may one sing at the revelation of the Child Jesus to the soul—precious, lovely, full of grace and comfort, a Fountain opened against sin and uncleanness.

From this Saviour proceed many blessings. The little ones in grace are helped by Him in a childlike manner. From Him also flow the treasures of the Covenant of Grace. “A seed shall serve Him” (Psalm 22:30). It will seek Him (Psalm 24:6). It is a seed, sanctified by God, which shall inherit the earth (Psalm 25:13). His glory and righteousness will be seen over them (Psalm 90 & 103). Then by grace it becomes true after all—from generation to generation—for people conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity (Psalm 51:5).

There is salvation in the Child of Bethlehem.

—June 17, 2010, Rev. C. Neele

(To be continued)

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