We have seen his glory
We have seen his glory
The PLACE of Jesus as God's ONLY BEGOTTEN Son of God who has the pre-eminence in God's family.
The statement in John 1:14 which refers to Jesus as "the only begotten of the Father" is now the focus of our attention.
We will split the term "only begotten" in two. First and foremost, we will think of how Jesus is God's "only" Son. Then we will discuss the term "begotten".
The O in GLORY stands for Only. In the term "only begotten" it is the word ONLY, expressing uniqueness, that should be emphasised. Jesus has a unique relationship with God the Father. There is no other like him.
The Hebrew writer distinguishes Jesus from angels, by asking, "To which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'?" (Heb 1:5 Psa 2:7) . The writer is not saying that angels (or for that matter men and women) cannot be sons of God. What he means is that this Son is unique and unlike any other son of God.
In what way is Jesus unique as a son? The writer explains this further down when he quotes, "But to the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever'" (Heb 1:8 Psa 45:6) . Notice that he addresses his Son as "God". No other son is ever addressed as God.
Reading on from that last quote, we come to another, along similar lines: "And, 'You LORD in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth...'" (Hebrews 1:10 Psalm 102:25) . Here God addresses his Son as LORD (which in Psalm 102 stands for that special name of God: Yaweh or Jehovah). You need to pay close attention to the fact that these quotes are both attributed to the Father addressing his Son. Note verse 8, "But to the Son he says..." after which follow the quotes that include the terms of address, "O God" and "You, LORD". As weird as it may seem to you at first, please satisfy yourself that the Father is quoted as addressing his Son as God and LORD. This is not just a curiosity.
In Philippians 2:9-10 it is claimed that Jesus has been given the name which is above every name. Only God has the name which is above every name. This was no novel idea. The prophet (Isa 9:6) had foretold it centuries earlier: "Unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given... His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Only one Son has a right to be called the very name by which his heavenly Father is addressed and worshipped. In that sense Jesus is the ONLY Son of God. He has that unique place in God’s family.
There are countless sons of God, but only one God the Son.
The Begotten Son