Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…”
DEVOTIONAL
When we look upon Jesus Christ, we are not seeing merely a good teacher, a wise prophet, or even a perfect man. We are beholding the very radiance of God’s glory.
The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is not just reflecting God’s glory like the moon reflects the sun. He radiates it—He is the brightness of it. Just as light pours from the sun in warmth and brilliance, so the glory of God streams through Jesus Christ. Everything that God is—His power, His holiness, His mercy, His justice, His love—is made visible in Jesus.
And more than that: Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s nature. The Greek word here refers to the mark left by a seal—an exact, precise, unchanging impression. He is not a shadow or a resemblance. He is the perfect expression of God’s being. If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. Look to His words, His works, His heart for the lost, His wrath against sin, and His obedience to the Father, even unto death. There is no clearer window into the character of God than the Son.
This should cause us to pause in awe.
Jesus is not one option among many. He is not a pathway to God—He is God. He’s not simply one voice among spiritual teachers—He is the very Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). Every glimpse of Christ’s tenderness with sinners, every act of healing, every word of truth, every drop of blood on the cross—all of it is the glory of God shining through.
And what is even more staggering is that this radiance, this holy brilliance, came into our world wrapped in flesh. He walked dusty roads. He suffered. He was tempted. He was crucified. The One who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3b) was nailed to a tree by the very hands He made. Why? For us. To reconcile sinners like us to a holy God. To shine the light of His glory into our dark hearts and call us into His marvelous light.
This is why worship isn’t just something we do on Sundays—it’s a way of life. Because when we’ve seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6), we cannot remain the same.
Let your soul sit in the stillness of this truth today: Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory. You were made to behold Him, to love Him, and to reflect that glory in how you live.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are the radiance of the Father’s glory—the brightness of holiness, the beauty of truth, the power of love. Forgive me for the many ways I take Your glory lightly. Open my eyes to see You as You are—not as I imagine, not as the world defines, but as You have revealed Yourself.Let my heart be captivated by Your splendor. Let the light of Your truth chase away the shadows in my soul. Help me to worship You not just with my words, but with my life—with all my thoughts, all my actions, all my desires.
Thank You for coming near. Thank You for shining into the darkness and for not turning away from sinners like me. I rest in Your grace today.
In Your holy name,
Amen.