12/1- Imprint of the Father

Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.



1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making 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.(Hebrews 1:1-4)



Calvin abridged: The agreement between the law and the Gospel is established; for God, who is ever like himself, and whose word is the same, and whose truth is unchangeable, has spoken in both as one. God addressed the fathers in a different way from how he addresses us. Formerly God used prophets, but to us God uses his Son. The way in which revelation was made in the Old Testament is inferior to ours as their visions were in many times and many ways. Christ brings a final conclusion to these times and ways- so that it is in this sense that the writer calls them “last times and last days” (c.f I Cor. 10:11). Since God has spoken for the last time, we do not need to look further. On the other hand, the Jews did not look far enough and were content with the Law. Since Christ has appeared an opposite evil has come- the desire to advance beyond him. The limit of our wisdom is made here to be the Gospel.

3- “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” God is truly and really known in Christ; for he is not his obscure or shadowy image, but an impression from his mold- resembling him, as coins are the impress of the die with which they are stamped. But even more than this is said- even that the substance of the Father is in a way engraved on the Son.



Thoughts: The word of God was at first scattered in time and through different mouths. But all of that changed with Jesus. He is the Word of God concentrated in One person at one time. In terms of vision, Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. In terms of hearing Jesus is the Word of God incarnate. His words are God’s Word, his teachings God’s teachings. His life is a living example of how we were made to live. The gospel was made real when Christ came to earth.



Prayer: Open our eyes, our hearts, our lives to your gospel O Lord. Help our lives to be an imprint of your life, Jesus, as your life is an imprint of the Father.