Thursday, August 16, 2012

Hebrews 2:15


and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
(Hebrews 2:15 ESV)

Jesus frees us from the fear of death, from death, from a lifelong fear of not knowing freedom, not knowing comfort, not knowing peace. Why? Because God is our friend and our protector. And everywhere we are under the protection of our Savior.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Hebrews 2:14


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,
(Hebrews 2:14 ESV)

Just as those who are to become the adopted children of God have the nature of man, Jesus took on the same nature as them, that by dying he might bring into subjection the devil, who has dominion over death. Death marks an end, but Jesus changed that by rising from the dead to rescue man; to restore him to life; death is now unknown to man; his redemption introduces a state in which not another one would ever die.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Hebrews 2:13; (Isaiah 8:17-18)


And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
(Hebrews 2:13 ESV)

This is a reference to the Messiah speaking, as a man, placing his hope, his only hope in God. Jesus identifies himself with the people--fully man. "I will look to him; I will put my confidence in him." And this relationship Jesus has with His people is the same closeness a father has with his children. They were of one family; one nature. He identifies with man.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Hebrews 2:12; (Psalm 22:22)


saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
(Hebrews 2:12 ESV)

This quote from Psalm refers to the Messiah in the psalm. Jesus is declaring that he will make know to his brothers (us) the character of God. He is with them. He is united with his disciples.

Hebrews 2:11


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 2:11 ESV)

There is a special union between Jesus and man, so much so that Jesus became a man and took on sufferings of man, and took lowly man and made him holy as He is. We have a oneness with Him. And we are part of His family.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Hebrews 2:10


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.
(Hebrews 2:10 ESV)

Jesus was the perfect fit from God. God, the author and sovereign One, provided a perfect salvation. And this was a plan to save many to heaven. Jesus is not just the one that carries it out, but he is called the founder, the author, the source. Jesus did not become perfect through suffering nor was his exaltation a reward for suffering, but he is complete and fully qualified through suffering.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Hebrews 2:9


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 ESV)

The dominion given to man was instead completely fulfilled in Jesus. How could someone who suffered and died be considered higher than angels? His position to man was one of submission and following his death he was immediately crowned with glory and honor and this crowning or exalting was because He suffered. God's grace (His favor, His benevolence) was given for everyone, by Jesus dying, experiencing death, tasting that which is most unpleasant.