When the Universe Listens, Shouldn’t We?
Imagine a universe that doesn’t just exist because it once was created, but continues to exist because Someone is still speaking. Not yelling. Not whispering. Just speaking. Continually. Sustainably. Silently. Now imagine that same Word has the power to carry your sins away and hold your heart together at the same time.
This isn’t mystical or metaphorical—it’s scriptural. Hebrews 1:3 presents one of the most staggering truths in all of Scripture: Jesus Christ “upholds the universe by the word of His power.” But what does that even mean?
Take the quiz linked in the description to discover whether your faith rests on the Law, the Word, or something else entirely.
What Was Going On?
The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians under pressure. Persecution, cultural rejection, and theological confusion have led many to consider abandoning Christ and returning to the Old Covenant. Hebrews is not a gentle book. It is a theological wake-up call—a Holy Spirit-inspired confrontation.
And right out of the gate, the author doesn’t just suggest that Jesus is important. He claims Jesus is supreme.
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.” (Hebrews 1:3)
This is a statement that immediately lifts Jesus from being a good teacher or prophet to something entirely other. He is God. He is creator. He is sustainer. And He is redeemer.
But what is this mysterious phrase: “the word of His power”? Is it poetry or precision? Is it symbolic or scientific? Or… is it both?
What Surrounds This Verse?
Hebrews opens with a powerful comparison:
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” (Hebrews 1:1-2)
The author transitions from the old way—through prophets—to the final way: through the Son. Then comes verse 3, which layers identity, function, and mission:
- Radiance of God’s glory — His visible splendor
- Exact imprint of His nature — His divine essence
- Upholder of the universe — His cosmic authority
- Purifier of sins — His redemptive mission
- Seated at the right hand — His enthroned position
The idea of God’s Word sustaining all things isn’t new. It echoes powerful Old Testament concepts:
- Genesis 1 — God speaks creation into existence
- Psalm 33:6 — “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made”
- Isaiah 55:11 — God’s Word “shall not return…empty”
And it resonates with New Testament theology:
- John 1:1-3 — Jesus is the Word, and “all things were made through Him”
- Colossians 1:17 — “In Him all things hold together”
The phrase “word of His power” is not incidental. It’s loaded.
What Must We Ask?
- What is “the word” in this context?
- Is this different from “powerful words”?
- What does it mean to “uphold the universe”?
- Why connect this to sin purification and enthronement?
- What does this teach us about faith, law, and righteousness?
The Answers — What Is the Word of His Power?
The Word Is Not Just What God Says—It’s Who He Is
In Greek, the word used here for “word” is rhema, not logos. Rhema emphasizes the spoken, active word. It’s not mere communication. It’s performative. When God says something, it doesn’t just convey—it creates.
This means that when Christ upholds the universe “by the word of His power,” He’s doing more than speaking. He is activating reality moment by moment.
Upholding Is Not Static Holding—It’s Dynamic Carrying
The Greek for “upholds” (pherōn) is present active—He is currently carrying. This is not the image of Atlas passively holding the world. It’s the idea of God actively guiding creation toward a divine purpose.
The universe is not a wound-up clock. It’s a constantly upheld masterpiece.
The Power That Sustains Also Purifies
The stunning pivot in the verse is from cosmos to cross. Jesus isn’t just holding quarks and galaxies together; He’s holding your soul together.
“After making purification for sins…”
The same power that sustains matter atoned for sin. The same Word that speaks stars into existence speaks righteousness over sinners.
Faith Isn’t a Leap—It’s a Resonance
Faith is often misunderstood as blind trust. But in light of this passage, faith is resonance with the sustaining Word. It’s not irrational—it’s responsive.
Law Reveals; Word Restores
The Law shows what ought to be, but only the Word makes it so. Law convicts; the Word creates righteousness.
This destroys the idea of earning salvation. You don’t obey to sustain grace—you obey because you are already sustained by grace.
Part 5: All Roads Lead to Jesus
Every angle of this verse—creation, communication, purification, exaltation—leads us back to Christ. Hebrews 1:3 isn’t just a doctrinal statement. It’s a Christological earthquake.
- Jesus is the Word
- Jesus is the Power
- Jesus is the Upholder
- Jesus is the Purifier
- Jesus is the Enthroned One
He doesn’t just preach the gospel. He is the gospel.
Part 6: Two Practical Applications
Application 1: Anchor Your Identity in the Word, Not in Circumstance
You are not a victim of chaos or chance. Your existence, your value, and your redemption are actively upheld by Jesus. When you feel like life is falling apart, it’s the sustaining Word that holds you together.
Practice Tip: Begin each day reading a verse of Scripture not just as instruction but as sustaining reality. Say, “This isn’t just true—this is what keeps me alive.”
Application 2: Let the Word Dwell in You, Not Just the Law Over You
Many Christians live like they’re still under the Law. But if Christ is the Word who purifies, then the Law is no longer your measure—Jesus is.
Practice Tip: When making decisions, ask: “Does this align with the character of the sustaining Christ?” That question will guard your conscience far more deeply than a checklist of rules.
Conclusion: Will You Listen to the Word That’s Holding You?
Hebrews 1:3 doesn’t just teach theology. It reveals reality. The universe exists because Jesus is still speaking it into being. You exist, not by accident or momentum, but by divine intentionality.
So the question is not: Is God speaking? The question is: Are you listening?
Let your life reflect not just belief in God, but dependence on His sustaining Word. That’s where freedom is found—not in performance, but in Person. Not in rules, but in relationship.
Take the quiz linked in the description to explore whether your faith is rooted in the Law, the Word, or somewhere in between.
This post is part of our ongoing theological series exploring misunderstood or overlooked Scriptures with a Christ-centered lens. Subscribe for future posts and in-depth resources.
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