Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The Centrality of Christ Jesus

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere, "What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."(Hebrews 2:5-12)

Who is the center of your life? As babies, our mothers and fathers were the center. A shift may have occurred during your toddler years, and one or the other of your parents was the center; and during adolescence, none of those were important because you discovered friends. As you matured, you may have made your intended the center of your life. If you married, she or he became the center of your life. If you had children, each was special and important, and they may have become the center of your life. But, if you matured in faith, and made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life, Jesus should be the center of your life. There can be no room for anyone, or anything, taking center place.

The writer of Hebrews understood this and declares the centrality of Christ in the faith: He is the Son of God who is heir of all things; He reflects the glory of God and has the exact imprint of God's very being, paid for our sins, and sits at the right hand of God Almighty. Jesus is superior to the angels, and controls all things, and yet, is not ashamed to call us "brothers and sisters," and will one day be our Advocate before the Father, when He judges between the "quick and the dead."

Dear friend, if you have not yet made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life, right now would be the best time to make the best decision of your life. For too long you have stood on the outside looking in, and as this passage says, seeing Christ for Who He is is better from the inside. A prayer of invitation is but the first thing you can do for the betterment of your life. Faith will follow and that faith will help you do the things that are expected of a believer. We are saved by Jesus by faith, away from our sins, but saved to a new life of abundance, where we work to help bring others to faith, care for the hungry, sick, imprisoned, naked, and alone. And we work within a community of believers to help transform the world.

PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I have not yet made Jesus the center of my life. I confess I am a sinner and have not yet asked for forgiveness of all my sins. Take them away, make my heart and mind new, and put me to serving You lovingly, faithfully, and fruitfully, so that this new life may be one truly lived in abundance. This I pray in His name, Jesus my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde