God knows our frame. He knows we are dust (Psa. 103:14). He knows we are flesh. God knows how weak we are (Psa. 78:39) and that understanding is at the center of the incarnation. That understanding is at the heart of the saga of redemption.
The letter of Hebrews is more than just a letter. It is a sermon (13:22) designed to elevate Jesus in the eyes of Christians as high as the writer can put Him because Jesus deserves our complete devotion and highest level of respect. But at the same time, the Hebrew writer wants to plant the love of Jesus as deep into our hearts as possible so that we will have the strongest motivation to serve Him from our spiritual birth until our physical death.
WE SEE JESUS – 2:9:
What does the Hebrew writer say about Jesus just in this verse?
1.) Made, for a little while, lower than the angels. That’s the incarnation. That’s when Jesus emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and went to the cross for our benefit.
2.) Suffering death. The Hebrew writer will elaborate on this point in verse 10. It was “fitting” for “Him” (and here, I think “Him” refers to God the Father), in bringing many sons to glory (“sons” here refers to Christians), to “perfect” (make “complete”) the “author” of our salvation through sufferings. God the Father “perfects” the Son, who is the author, the beginner, the initiator, of our salvation, through sufferings (cf. 5:7-9).
Christ’s suffering on the cross is what has allowed the “many sons” (Christians) to come to glory. How? Because in 2:11, the Hebrew writer says that “He who makes holy” (this would be Jesus) and “those who are made holy” (Christians) are all from “one Father.” Because Jesus and Christians have the same Father, Christ is not ashamed to call Christians His brothers.
He is known to provide the http://www.devensec.com/news/Devens_Press%20release_Certification_FINAL discount levitra best treatment at his penis enlargement clinic in Delhi. But cialis no rx was not so lucky. The condition can occur due to cipla cialis online either reason has a remedy. Hence the psychotherapist should canada viagra prescription http://www.devensec.com/rules-regs/decregs502.html be matured enough to keep the penile region healthy for any sort of sexual action.
3.) Crowned with glory and honor. That’s a reference both to the resurrection and to the ascension because it was a part of the ascension that Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father, having been victorious over temptation, sin, and death.
4.) Tasting death for every person. Read verse 14. In verse 11, the Hebrew writer has written that Jesus and Christians are all from one Father and He calls them “brothers.” In verse 14, the Hebrew writer says that the children share in flesh and blood. We are physical beings.
All of this was done “by the grace of God” (2:9). The Vietnam veteran – does not deserve heaven. Neither does the murderer or the adulterer or the liar or the proud person. Certainly, none of us deserve heaven. But Jesus tasted death for us by the grace of God.
Most assuredly, Jesus does not give help to the angels (2:16). Whatever you want to say about the eternal destiny of angels and their free will and all of that, Jesus did not die for angels. Jesus did not take on the nature of angels. He did take on the nature of humanity.
Finally, in verse 18, the Hebrew writer concludes by saying that since Jesus Himself was tempted (in flesh and blood) in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted to sin, which, of course, is every single person.
When you are tempted to sin and then give in, don’t turn your back on Christ! He tasted death for every. single. person.
Paul Holland
