01 May Who is Christ?

By Yosia Yusuf

There are many things to be said about who Christ is and 2 A5 pages will not do justice to reveal his identity. My answer is solely based on the description given in our passage of the month[1] and can only be treated as a springboard to jump into the vastness of the ocean.

The heir and creator of all things.

The writer of Hebrews made it clear that Jesus Christ is the creator of all creation and at the same time the heir of it all. In the beginning when God created the world, he created through his words and this word is not a mere word but a person. While it is God the Father who initiated creation, Jesus is the agent of creation. Everything is created through him and without him was not anything made that was made.[2] Every raw material, no matter how small or big, was created by Jesus.

He is also the heir of all things. God the Father has designed from eternity that Jesus should inherit everything. In the present times, it may feel like Christ has yet to impose what is rightly his. But when he returns to earth, he will take what is rightly his. Every single molecule, particles, lands, animals, human beings and all creation will be subject to his authority. Paul sums it up this way, “For from him and through him and to him all are things.”[3]

The radiance of the glory of God.

Imagine standing outdoor before the sunrise and looking at the sky. You will see a few glimpse of light emitted from stars and moon. Other than that you will see darkness. But what happen when the sun begin to rise? You see a glimpse of light in a distance and before too long you are surrounded by light and darkness was nowhere to be seen. Now you can see everything around you clearly. What happen? The sun’s rays allow you to see. Without it’s rays, you cannot see the sun nor will you have light to see everything around you.

In the same way, Jesus functions as the radiance of the glory of God. You can see God and his glory through the person of Christ. Christ allows you to see the radiance of who God is. Sam Storms put it this way, “The glory of God is in the Son and the Son is that glory shining forth.”

The exact imprint of God’s nature.

Jesus is the Son of God but he is always God and there was not time where he was not. One of the most challenging aspects of Christ’s identity is the fact that he is both fully God and fully man. He is not 50/50; he is 100% both. At the same time, he is also equal with God the Father in every way and he is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Trinitarian).[4] There is a healthy tension in divinity of Christ and humanity of Christ that are not meant to be resolved. The moment we try to resolve the tension, the pendulum has swing to one side and it becomes a heresy.

One thing that we can be sure is that Jesus is the exact imprint of God. If we ever wonder what God looks like, we don’t have to wonder anymore. Look at Christ. He is the very God in flesh for us to know and enjoy. Jesus is God made visible for us to see.[5] Everything we need to know about God is made known in the person of Christ. Look to him!