Ukuu Wa Mwana Wa Mungu

Hapo zamani Mungu alisema na baba zetu mara nyingi na kwa namna mbali mbali kwa kuwatumia manabii. Lakini katika siku hizi za mwisho, amesema na sisi kwa njia ya Mwanae, ambaye alim chagua kuwa mrithi wa vitu vyote. Na kwa njia ya Mwanae, Mungu aliumba ulimwengu. Yeye Mwana ni mng’ao wa utukufu wa Mungu na chapa halisi ya nafsi yake, naye huudumisha na kuuendeleza ulim wengu kwa neno lake lenye nguvu. Alipokwisha kuwapatia wanadamu utakaso wa dhambi, alikaa upande wa kulia wa Mungu Mwenyezi aliye juu. Kwa hiyo Mwana alikuwa mkuu zaidi kuliko malaika, kama ambavyo jina alilorithi kwa Mungu ni kuu kuliko jina la malaika ye yote.

Kwa maana ni malaika gani ambaye Mungu aliwahi kumwambia: “Wewe ni mwanangu; leo hii nimekuzaa”? Au tena: “Mimi nita kuwa Baba yake na yeye atakuwa Mwanangu”? Na tena Mungu ana pomleta mwanae, mzaliwa wa kwanza ulimwenguni, anasema: “Malaika wote wa Mungu wamwabudu yeye.” Anapozungumza juu ya malaika anasema: “Anawafanya malaika wake kuwa upepo, watumishi wake kuwa ndimi za moto.” Lakini kuhusu Mwana, anasema: “Kiti chako cha enzi, Wewe Mungu, kitadumu milele na milele, na haki takuwa fimbo ya ufalme wako. Umependa haki na kuchukia uovu. Kwa hiyo Mungu, Mungu wako, amekuchagua wewe na kukuweka juu ya wenzako kwa kukupaka mafuta ya furaha.” 10 Pia anasema: “Hapo mwanzo , Wewe Bwana, uliweka misingi ya ulimwengu, na mbingu ni kazi ya mikono yako. 11 Vyote vitaangamia lakini wewe unadumu; vyote vitachakaa kama nguo, nawe 12 utavikunja kama vazi na kuvibadilisha. Bali wewe hubadiliki, na miaka yako haitakwisha kamwe. ” 13 Lakini ni malaika gani amewahi kumwambia, “Keti kulia kwangu mpaka niwafanye adui zako kuwa kiti cha kuwekea miguu yako”? 14 Malaika ni nani basi? Wao ni roho wa utumishi waliotumwa kuwahudumia wale watakaopokea wokovu.

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1