Hebrews 1:1–4 (NIV): 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
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The Son is . . . the exact representation of [God’s] being. . . . — Hebrews 1:3
Have you ever been asked by a child, “What does God look like?” Or have you ever wondered about that yourself? Hebrews gives us the answer to this question: “[Jesus is] the exact representation of [God’s] being.”
What does God look like? He looks like Jesus because Jesus looks like God. To some of us this might not sound helpful, because we do not know exactly what Jesus looks like. But this is about more than just a physical appearance. We know that Jesus became a human being, so we can assume things about his physical nature. But this also means much more.
Jesus says in John 14:9, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Likewise, we’re told in Colossians 1:15, “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” In Jesus we can see God—and this has to do with God’s character. Jesus reveals “the exact imprint” of God’s nature, as some Bible translations put it. In Jesus we see that God is loving, merciful, caring, just, righteous, and more. In the actions and words of Jesus, we see God’s character.
Jesus revealed God’s character the most clearly when he showed his love for us by dying on the cross to save us from our sin. In that one act we see God’s love, mercy, care, justice, and righteousness. If you want to know what God looks like, look to Jesus. In him we see what God looks like in all his glory.
Prayer
Father God, as we look to Jesus, we can see you and experience your great love for us. Help us to show your love to others as your representatives. Amen