2nd Wednesday of Lent (February 28). Listen to the Son

Prepare to Listen.  God has spoken to us by Jesus.
 
Prayerfully Read Hebrews 1:1-4
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but 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.  3He 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, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
What two words would you choose to describe Jesus?  Finding it difficult to choose just two?
 
The writer of Hebrews couldn’t do it.  In this letter, that is more sermon than letter, he begins with no less than eight bold claims about Jesus, challenging us to once again, Behold the Lamb of God.  He will unpack and support his claims in the rest of his sermon, but today we reflect only on his introduction.  For those of us who grew up with good theology about Jesus, it’s easy to think we know these truths with which Hebrews begins.  Perhaps we’ve become immune, albeit unwittingly, to the awesome greatness of Jesus that Hebrews highlights here.  We should pray with the hymn writer, Katherine Hankey: “Tell me the same old story / When you have cause to fear / That this world’s empty glory is costing me too dear.”
 
A focus on Christ, who is “the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being,” will guard us from falling for “this world’s empty glory.”  God’s glory is weighty not light, full not empty.  It has to do with God’s presence.  Because Jesus is “the exact imprint of God” he could claim, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9).  It’s easy for us to take our eyes off Jesus and shut our ears to his words.  We need to hear God’s command again and again, “This is my Son, listen to him” (Mk 9:7).  When we obey and listen, we’ll avoid being taken in by “this world’s empty glory.”
 
What do you think it means to be the reflection of God’s glory?  How can you reflect God’s glory today?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord guard me from letting this world’s empty glory control my image of you.  Guard me against becoming deaf to the powerful word you have spoken.  Keep me listening to your Word and faithfully living it.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Listen to the Son and be a reflection of God’s glory.