Word of Life


4th October 2024



God’s final word

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

The final words purported to be uttered by famous people range from the prosaic ‘I’m bored with it all’ – Winston Churchill; to the tragic ‘I’m just going outside. I may be some time’ – Captain Oates; to the comedic ‘I told you I was ill’ – Spike Milligan.

And perhaps the funniest of all, the final words of an anonymous Great White hunter ‘The trick with a charging rhino is to stand perfectly still…’.

Today’s header scripture, however, speaks of a different kind of final word  – the last words spoken by God to humans. In the Old Testament, the Almighty sent prophet after prophet to speak to the people and their words fell on usually deaf, sometimes furious, ears. Finally, as planned from the foundation of the world, God sent his Son. Given that Jesus was God in the flesh, this amounted to God cutting out the middleman and going direct!

Notice how the tone now changes, ‘…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…’  – ‘us’ being the Jewish converts who are the recipients of the letter. And he might well have added, ‘and what a difference that makes’.

And here begins an argument – almost a sermon – which in Hebrews 1:2-4 emphasises the seven-fold superiority of Jesus over the Mosaic covenant:

  1. He is the heir of all things. 
  2. He is the creator of the universe.
  3. He is the radiance of God’s glory.
  4. He is the exact representation of God.
  5. He sustains all things by his word.
  6. He provides purification for sins. 
  7. He sat down at the right hand of God becoming ruler over even the angels, being crowned with glory and honour.         

Jesus describes himself as “…the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End”  (Revelation 1: 8 NKJV). Truly, through Jesus, God will have the final word.

And the word is love.

Prayer
Almighty Father, thank you for speaking to us by your Son. Help us, as it says in Matthew 17:5, to listen to him.  In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

Study by: Peter Mill

About the author:
Peter Mill is a minister in Grace Communion International and Co-Regional Pastor for Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Central Glasgow
Garnethill Room
Conference Suite
St Andrews West
260 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JP

Meeting time:
Sunday 11:15 am                                          

Local congregational contact:   
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church