The Contenders

In the past week the news has been clamoring over the government shutdown. Although this isn’t the place for details, the controversy is very telling of our nation’s leadership. The inability to reach consensus between the two government parties has led to many being placed on furlough from their government jobs, thus a “government shutdown.” The title is technically fitting, albeit more dramatic than realistic. Even though the government is “shutdown” it is merely limited to “non-essential” operations (parks, museums, etc.), while “essential” operations continue (mail, military, etc.).

The United States is left at a standstill despite being led by perhaps the most informed and educated leadership to ever exist in world history. In the midst of such controversy, Christians must remember that even in the midst of such human failure God remains in control.

Hebrews 1:2-3 gives reference to the person of Jesus Christ, “in these last days [God] has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 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” (emphasis added).

Hebrews 1:2 ends with a simple declarative fact regarding the person of Jesus Christ, “through whom also He made the world.” One essential observation of this passage is the author’s use of “world.” Instead of using the term “cosmos” (κόσμος) which communicates the created world or universe he uses the term “ages” (αἰών). This term is referring to a long period of time that signifies a particular unit of history. All of this to say that Jesus Christ is the one who has made the “ages.” Later, Jesus is described as the one who “upholds all things by the word of His power” (1:3). Or in other words, Jesus carries (φέρω) all things to to their intended end by the word of His power. Jesus Christ is actively and presently upholding all things in accordance to His purpose. Somehow, God is working in every single event on earth, whether personal or global, in order to bring glory to Himself.

These simple characteristics of Jesus Christ give the Christian hope in the midst of an uneasy world. When government fails, the Christian is reminded that their Savior is the One who ordains and carries the events of the world to His intended purpose. Beloved, God is in control and not the government.