Chapter 2
-The salvation that is in Jesus Christ, our faithful High
Priest and propitiation (the act of atoning for sin, reconciling) for our sins
(Hebrews 2:17), is something we must pay careful attention to and not drift
away from (Hebrews 2:1). It is a reliable message that we cannot neglect
(Hebrews 2:2-3). God has born witness by signs and wonders and various miracles
and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, which He distributed (and distributes even
now) to man according to His will (Hebrews 2:4). *Application* The work of
Christ is what we must accept if we are to encounter right standing with the
Lord and become His child. Children share in flesh and blood, and the Lord Jesus
took on flesh and blood to partake of the same things we encounter, even death,
that He might destroy the one who has power over death, that is, the devil
(Hebrews 2:13b-14). If we do not accept this plan of God for salvation, we
cannot become His. He who was made for a while a lower than the angels has now
been crowned with glory and honor and puts everything in subjection under His
feet (Psalms 8:4-6, the word elohim [plural] could be translated God or gods or
heavenly beings, I, like many translations including the Septuagint, take it to
mean angels as Hebrews understands it, Hebrews 2:6-8).
-Presently we do not see everything subjected to Him (Hebrews
2:8). This is the “now, but not yet” quality of the Kingdom described
articulately by George E. Ladd, Darrell Bock, and Craig Blaising among others.
Christ Jesus has certainly initiated His Kingdom with His eathly life, His atoning
death, resurrected life, and the sending of His Holy Spirit, but there is
still work to be done in the eradicating of all evil. This is the point that
the author is making here. *Application* We are soldiers on a mission of love
for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom. Fight the good fight and endure to the end,
when you will get your reward (Daniel 2:44, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7). He will come and make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
-Christ Jesus proves the superior as He went through the
suffering and shame of becoming lower than the angels, and has now been given
the Name above all names as King of kings and Lord of lords (Acts 4:12, 1
Timothy 6:14-16, Hebrews 2:10, 18, Revelation 17:14; 19:16). He is the One for
whom and by whom all things exist (Hebrews 2:10). This describes His Deity and
worthiness (Revelation 4:11; 5:12). He was tempted in all things proving that
He IS ABLE to help those of us who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15). He
is our constant help in time of trouble (Hebrews 4:16). *Application* The love
of Christ reaches down to us by His grace and pulls us out of the pit of sin that
we find ourselves in if we simply trust in His provision (Hebrews 2:13). He is
our way out; He is the life; He is the truth (John 4:16). Believe in the Lord
Jesus and be saved! He is able!
Verse to Memorize-
Hebrews 2:17
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