And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, – Hebrews 1:3 NASB

He sat down.

Seems simple enough. This writer makes Jesus the one choosing to sit. But what do we know about Jesus? He only does the will of the Father. So let’s peak over at the book of acts for a minute and see another perspective on this moment in history.

Maybe you’re saying–Jesus sat down–historic moment? It sounds like–well–nothing, really.

Oh, but it is a moment.

“Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, – Acts 2:29-30

On the day of Pentecost, Peter, preaching to the thousands gathered there, Jews from many nations, talks about this promise to David. And in this case, who is doing the seating?

God the Father seated Christ on His eternal throne, at His own right hand.

There is one more thing I want to point out from this tail end of Hebrews 1:3.

When did God rest? When creation was finished.
When did Jesus rest? When salvation was complete.

IT IS FINISHED!!!

What exactly is finished?

Let’s dust off the idea of salvation with a little word search.

The New Testament uses the Greek word Sozo. We find it used and translated a number of ways. Here are a few:

“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21 

But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well. – Matthew 9:22

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. – Matthew 18:11

And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road. – Mark 10:52

Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. – Luke 8:36

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. – John 10:9

‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’ – Acts 2:21 

As you can see from these examples, this concept of Sozo reaches beyond saving a soul from the torments of hell. It’s about wholeness, akin to the Hebrew word Shalom. Sozo covers the body, the soul and the spirit of a man or woman.

John opens the last of his letters with this greeting, which in my mind sums up Sozo, even though the word is not used here.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. – 3 John 1:2

When Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father He was finished with His work of Sozo, salvation. As our study will ask in the second chapter:

how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? – Hebrews 2:3

Thanks for sticking with me on this Hebrews project. I learn so much as I go line by line through this book. I hope you’re gleaning here too.

Blessings.

Shine on,

Ben

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