We ended part one asking the question Why is life good?
I’d like to answer this question today by turning to Hebrews 1, while at the same time looking at that last phrase I mentioned from my grandfather’s poem where he says, “Now death to me is the final word.”
As the Apostle Paul says, death may be “the last enemy” but, thankfully, contrary to what my grandfather believed, it’s not the final word. The final word is 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…”[1]
This beautiful opening to the book of Hebrews, introducing many of its themes, is one long sentence (1-4). The verses above give us four points of contrast:[2]
- Time of revelation: “Long ago” vs. “these last days”
- Agent of revelation: “prophets” vs. “Son”
- Recipients of revelation: “fathers” vs. “us”
- Unity of the revelation: “many and various ways” vs. one way where everything that came before points to and culminates in Jesus
Specifically, why does Hebrews 1:1-3 say life is good?
- Life is good because God spoke and still speaks. He has not left us in darkness regarding our most important questions:
- Origin: Where did we come from?
- Meaning: What is the point of life?
- Morality: What is good and what is evil?
- Destiny: Is there an afterlife and, if so, what will it be like?
- Life is good because Jesus created the world and said that everything was good. And the fallenness of the created order has not removed all its goodness and beauty.
- Life is good because Jesus is “God made flesh,” reflecting the very essence and heart of God.
- Life is good because we’ve been reconciled to God in Christ. He made purification for the sins of the world. And the fact that he “sat down” indicates that the work of salvation is finished. We can trust in Him fully and for all time. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
- Life is good because, despite how things look, an all-powerful and good God reigns supreme, and will one day make all things right.
So in celebrating another birthday, I’ll put on my best Life is Good long-sleeve shirt and wear it proudly. Not because I’m oblivious to life’s pain and strife or my own mortality. Not because I’m oblivious to the suffering or plight of others. No, I’ll put it on as a celebration of life’s simple gifts and because my faith is in God’s Final Word. The One who has made purification for sins—once and for all. The God who reigns and is seated at “the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Although I loved my grandfather and learned a great deal from him (btw, that’s us above from the 1980s celebrating someone’s birthday 🙂 ), I’ve chosen to listen to others on matters of faith, passing on a different legacy to my children and grandchildren. Let me close with another poem, a song lyric by Michael Card, that says it well:
You and me, we use so very many clumsy words
The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard
When the Father’s wisdom wanted to communicate His love
He spoke it in one final perfect word
He spoke the incarnation and then so was born the Son
His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one
Spoke flesh and blood, so He could bleed and make a way divine
And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine[3]
BTW, if you’d like to listen to a message related to this two-part blog, you can do so here (my message starts at 30:18). I had the honor of sharing it at Ashland Church in Voorhees, NJ last week.
[1] Hebrews 1:1-3, NRSVUE
[2] ESV Study Bible, 2361.
[3] From the album The Final Word released in 1987 by Michael Card.