Hebrews 2
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1
When you see therefore, you know it is talking about what was previous. What the author is saying here is, because of what you already learned, you should pay close attention to it so that you don’t drift away. Away from what? Away from your salvation. If we pay such close attention to prophecy from angels and learned from them, how can we neglect what Jesus has said to us.
“For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:2-4
The word was spoken by Jesus, attested by eyewitnesses and proven by signs, wonders and miracles and gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit. How could we not pay close attention? God has never given angels any dominion over anything. As we said in Hebrews 1 Angels are ministering spirits. The writer here quotes Psalm 8:4-6
“‘What is man, that you are mindful of him or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.’ Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” Hebrews 2:6-8
Who are we? That you God would even think of us. Man is lower than the angels and yet Jesus took on flesh and became human just like us. Nothing is out of the control of Jesus. We may not always see it, but it is under his control.
“But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9
Jesus was fully man, made lower than the angels, yet he was fully God, crowned with glory and honor yet he took our place and tasted death for us all.
“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers” Hebrews 2:10-11
“It was fitting” I struggled a bit with that phrase. Why should I think it was fitting for Jesus to die on the cross? But God added humanity to his deity through Jesus coming to earth so that Jesus could show us real love what real sacrifice looks like. And through it all, Jesus calls us brothers.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps but he helps the offspring of Abraham.” Hebrews 2:14-16
Jesus shared flesh and blood with us and then He took on death in order to destroy the power of death. In order to destroy any power the devil has or thinks he has and through it He delivers us from the fear of death. Jesus did this for us, we are the offspring of Abraham.
“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:17-18
Jesus became like us, became flesh and blood so that he could be a high priest who could identify with our temptations and our sufferings. He is our high priest and because of the cross He knows suffering. You know how when you are going through something and you talk to someone who is going through something similar it makes you feel a little better or you at least have someone to identify with. It’s the same thing, we have a high priest, Jesus, who knows suffering and we can take anything to Him.
Oh sweet Jesus, we can never thank you enough for what you have done for us. You put on flesh, you walked this earth and you suffered and died for us on the cross.
Please pray for the medical professionals today. Please pray for our country.
Restore 