A Four Part Description of the
Incarnation in One Verse
Copyright 2009
By Steve McCalip
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Website: kingjamesman.com
There is one majestic verse in Hebrews that often goes overlooked in its spiritual wealth, yet within this singular verse the Lord shows to us four magnificent figures or pictures of Jesus’ incarnation and just how and what it means to say that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. I want to examine these four references to the incarnation and how each gives us a further understanding of the revelation of God becoming a man.
Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Notice the four descriptions are constructed in a similar fashion, all speaking of God being manifest in the flesh: “the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person, the word of his power, and the right hand of the Majesty.
To break it down even further, though, notice how each of the 4 phrases is in two parallel parts. The physical description on the left is the manifestation of the Spiritual characteristic on the right:
Physical      manifestation of   Spiritual
the brightness             of                   the glory
the express image          of                   his person
the word                     of                 his power
the right hand               of                   the Majesty
Within this one amazing verse, each of these four descriptions is showing a physical representation of the Spirit of God. God’s spiritual qualities (glory, person, power, and Majesty) are revealed to us by his physical qualities- (his brightness, his image, his words, and his right hand). The beauty of God being manifest in the flesh is seen on many levels, four of which we see in this verse, and each of which I will detail now.
“the brightness of “his glory”
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor. 2:8
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. James 2:1
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Rev. 21:23
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Is. 40:5
 All of these verses above show us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the glory and the light of God. Jesus is the only and complete manifestation of the Father-he is the exact expression of the Father’s glory and light, and all flesh shall see him. They shall see him even without the aid of the natural sun, for Jesus’ light will light the whole world because his glory is that magnificent. When Jesus transfigured himself on the mountain to Peter, James and John, these men got a glimpse of the glory of God like we will all see one day in heaven in the face of Jesus Christ: “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them“ (Mark 9:2-3). Matthew gives greater detail of this same account: “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matthew 17:2).
When Jesus was on earth, only these three men saw him in all his glory, and that glory shined brighter than the sun and whiter than any white on earth. Think of what that must have been like to see! The “brightness of his glory” shows us the incredible light that reflects from the face and presence of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. It is a glory so immensely radiant that his light lightens the whole earth at once: “…the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” God’s manifestation in flesh is exemplified by the light that shines from that flesh and reveals the glory of the Spirit.
“The express image of his person”
The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. Ezek. 1:3
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1Tim. 4:1
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor. 4:4
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Col. 1:15
 Jesus Christ is the express image of God the Father. The word “express” is partially defined for us in the first two verses above. The word of God came expressly or specifically to Ezekiel and no one else at that time. Jesus is God’s only image, his only perfectly expressed person. Jesus is the image of that person of the Father. He is not a duplicate. He is the visible God. He is the exact and perfect picture of the Father; therefore, he is the Father. If you want to see the Father, if you want to know the Father, you are seeing the Father’s express image. (Remember that Jesus said, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…”). The Father could not portray himself more perfectly but through Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God the Father humbled himself, took on the image of a man, and he is Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the image of the Father, and “the express image of his person.” This is the second example within Hebrews 1:3, then, of what it means that God was manifest in the flesh. The flesh is the express image of the same person of God. It is the Spirit’s express, exact physical image and person.
“the word of his power”
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. Luke 4:32
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Eccl. 8:4
God’s power is demonstrated by the utterance of his words. When Jesus was on earth, his very words were “spirit and life.” They were “with power” according to Luke. They were the words of the King of kings. They were the words of the creator of the universe in human flesh. They were coming from the same mouth that spoke everything into existence in one breath. God’s power manifested itself in words man could understand, just as God’s power was revealed to us as a man. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” This third example from Hebrews 1:3 gives us additional insight into the mystery of godliness, i.e, God becoming a man. God reveals himself to us by his physically uttered words, words that have the power to kill and make alive, to create and destroy, and to raise his own body from the dead. The “word of his power” is the third parallel of the incarnation from a single verse of scripture.
“the right hand of the Majesty on high”
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Heb 8;1
Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. Exodus 15:6
For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Ps. 44:3
 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Matt. 26:64
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col. 3:1
Steve,
Jesus is the Christ and He is God! A great verse showing His deity. You really unpacked it well.
Hey Steve, I am so glad you are as surrendered as you are to the Father, He does good stuff in you as evidenced here brother.
Love you man.
Thanks Roy. It’s brothers like you that make what I do worth it.