“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” 

Hebrews 1:3

Read Hebrews 1:1-4 

“Don’t all religions really just believe in the same God?” students ask in my religion classes at Fresno Pacific University. It seems that many young people are tired of the pain that comes when people fight over religious issues and values, and want to heal division, not create more pain. Because of this they often emphasize the similarities between religions and wonder if, ultimately, all religions point to the same God. 

Hebrews 1 gives us a great way to respond to this question by reminding us of the ultimate reference point: Jesus. Do you wonder what is God like? We only need to look at Jesus, the exact representation of God. And when we look for God in Jesus, what do we see? We see a God who is unafraid to be vulnerable, like a baby. We see a God who, though the creator, sustainer and king of all creation, doesn’t broadcast his presence through the regular media channels of the day. Instead, he unexpectedly announces it to shepherds and foreigners. He loves people, not for what they do or achieve, but for who they are. He accepts people in their imperfections and inspires them to live differently. 

God, when seen in Jesus, is in many ways quite unlike anything seen in other religions. But the uniqueness of God-in-Jesus doesn’t have to lead to pain or rejection. Quite the opposite. Jesus reveals a God that not only created us, but also accepts and walks with us, even as he calls us to something greater. 

Jesus, thank you that you are God-with-Us and show us the true character and heart of God.