“But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.’ ” (Hebrews 1:8-9)
Who is Jesus? How much do you know about him beyond the stories of his life on earth, beyond the manger and the miracles and the cross and the empty tomb? The writer of Hebrews is helping us to get to know Jesus better as God this week.
In this passage he quotes two verses from Psalm 45 to make sure we know they are about Jesus. Did you notice that God calls Jesus “God”? Our God is one God – in three persons.
Here, Jesus, the Son, gets credit for what he loves and what he hates – and that results in joy. What do you love and hate? Do you love when right wins? Do you love when you do right? Do you hate wrong or wicked actions, motivations, choices (including your own)?
The angels are called Jesus’ companions, and Jesus called his followers friends. The friends of Jesus learn to love and hate as he does.
Think: Does it feel wrong to you to think of Jesus as hating things? What are some of the things you hate? Do you hate anything for being “wicked” or against God and what is good?
Pray: Praise Jesus because he has loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Do: Read the wedding song that these verses quote from in Psalm 45.