Hebrews 2:14-18
Death is repeated a few times in this passage and the idea that Christ shares in my humanity is repeated, using different words, as well. In fact, the idea that Christ shared my humanity is the key idea of this section of Hebrews. The author uses this fact to reinforce his assertion of the angels position in the creation order. While humans may be a little lower than the angels, it is to humans that Christ came to help.
The author is answering the question: Why did Christ became human? His answer: So that he might help us by breaking the power of death and serving as a high priest who makes atonement for our sins.
Right now our staff team is memorizing Philippians 2:1-16. Paul is making the same point that the author is making in this passage: Christ was made in human likeness, sharing in our humanity, and was obedient to death. I think that I have heard this so many times that I no longer give it much thought. I am no longer moved, as a I should be, by this profound truth. When I pause to meditate on it, I am brought up short. I can't move past it. It is so amazing that Christ would share in my temptations and suffering so that I could be free from death and free from sin. It is beyond thought that Christ, who is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, would die for me. Love so amazing! How can it be that Thou my God would die for me?
Showing posts with label Hebrews 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hebrews 2. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Band of Brothers (and Sisters)
Hebrews 2:10-13
Jesus is bringing many sons and daughters to glory. The previous verses make it clear that it is through his death that they are brought into glory (he tasted death for everyone). The author makes it clear that Jesus is the pioneer of our faith - an image that he will return to again at least once (Hebrews 12). The idea of perfecting is also a common theme in Hebrews (again mentioned in Hebrews 12, as well as other places). Here, the author uses a troubling phrase that seems to indicate that Jesus was made perfect through his suffering.
The rest of Scripture and the historical theology of the Church makes it clear that Jesus was always perfect. He never sinned. He was eternally fully God. So what does the author mean that he was made "perfect through what he suffered." I think that we need to remember that Jesus was also fully human and this means that he matured like every human does. Also, Jesus had to live his life in obedience to God so that he could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The perfection of Jesus is seen most clearly in the cross. He died as the perfect sacrifice so the sense of this phrase is likely that his suffering affirmed his perfection. In other words, he was made perfect to us in his suffering.
The phrase that stirs the most awe in me is verse 11. Sometimes I see myself as a second class son or daughter. By focusing on my unworthiness to be a part of the family, I negate the effects of God's grace as seen in Jesus Christ. I am a full member of the family - as much as the one who made me holy is a member - and Jesus is not ashamed to call me his brother. There are two applications for me: 1) I need to stop beating myself up. Yes, I will continue to deal harshly with sin in my life and strive for holiness with the help of the Spirit but I am still a full member of the family of God. In my false humility of seeing myself as not a full member of the family I insult God by saying his grace is not enough and I teach my son that an adopted family member is not really a full part of the family. 2) I must not see others as third or fourth class members of the family. That makes me too much like the older brother in the tale of the prodigal son. I know that I am guilty of looking down on others for the sinfulness as if God's grace might just barely be enough for me but they will certainly have to earn their way back into God's favour. This is really saying that I have earned (or have a plan to earn) God's favour and a position in the family. Again, this insults God's character and dishonour those he has created in his image and redeemed by the blood of his Son. I must stop this! If Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, then why am I?
Jesus is bringing many sons and daughters to glory. The previous verses make it clear that it is through his death that they are brought into glory (he tasted death for everyone). The author makes it clear that Jesus is the pioneer of our faith - an image that he will return to again at least once (Hebrews 12). The idea of perfecting is also a common theme in Hebrews (again mentioned in Hebrews 12, as well as other places). Here, the author uses a troubling phrase that seems to indicate that Jesus was made perfect through his suffering.
The rest of Scripture and the historical theology of the Church makes it clear that Jesus was always perfect. He never sinned. He was eternally fully God. So what does the author mean that he was made "perfect through what he suffered." I think that we need to remember that Jesus was also fully human and this means that he matured like every human does. Also, Jesus had to live his life in obedience to God so that he could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The perfection of Jesus is seen most clearly in the cross. He died as the perfect sacrifice so the sense of this phrase is likely that his suffering affirmed his perfection. In other words, he was made perfect to us in his suffering.
The phrase that stirs the most awe in me is verse 11. Sometimes I see myself as a second class son or daughter. By focusing on my unworthiness to be a part of the family, I negate the effects of God's grace as seen in Jesus Christ. I am a full member of the family - as much as the one who made me holy is a member - and Jesus is not ashamed to call me his brother. There are two applications for me: 1) I need to stop beating myself up. Yes, I will continue to deal harshly with sin in my life and strive for holiness with the help of the Spirit but I am still a full member of the family of God. In my false humility of seeing myself as not a full member of the family I insult God by saying his grace is not enough and I teach my son that an adopted family member is not really a full part of the family. 2) I must not see others as third or fourth class members of the family. That makes me too much like the older brother in the tale of the prodigal son. I know that I am guilty of looking down on others for the sinfulness as if God's grace might just barely be enough for me but they will certainly have to earn their way back into God's favour. This is really saying that I have earned (or have a plan to earn) God's favour and a position in the family. Again, this insults God's character and dishonour those he has created in his image and redeemed by the blood of his Son. I must stop this! If Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, then why am I?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Place of Mortals
Hebrews 2:5-9
The key words in this section are angels, mortals (or humans), subject, and death. The author is continuing his argument about the place of angels. In this section, he compares the place of angels and humans in the creation order. His argument is that while humans are created a bit lower than the angels, it is to humans that he has given the right to rule over the earth and everything in it. This goes right back to the creation of humans and echoes the charge that God gives to humans in Genesis 1:28. The author quotes Psalm 8:4-6 in this section but introduces the quote in a strange way: "there is a place where someone has testified..." I don't know why but it just struck me. It actually makes the author seem more human and accessible because I've done the same thing many times: somewhere the Bible says...
The author compares the dominion of humans to the dominion of Christ; because of their sin, humans do not see all of earthly creation in subjection to them - having to defend themselves from wild animals and do battle with weeds, thorns and thistles - but Jesus has assumed his throne, received his crown and all things are subject to him. In this brief description of the willing humiliation of Christ, I hear echoes of Paul's writing in Philippians 2: "being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself and become obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name..."
Again, for the author, it is all about Jesus. For me, I must remember that it is Christ who reigns and that I am under his authourity and rule. I must submit myself to his agenda and his will. However, I must also recognize that I have a responsibility as given by Christ from the beginning of creation to act on Christ's behalf and to be his governor or ambassador in the areas that he has called me to. I have been commissioned by Christ to pursue and stand up for the interests of his kingdom.
The key words in this section are angels, mortals (or humans), subject, and death. The author is continuing his argument about the place of angels. In this section, he compares the place of angels and humans in the creation order. His argument is that while humans are created a bit lower than the angels, it is to humans that he has given the right to rule over the earth and everything in it. This goes right back to the creation of humans and echoes the charge that God gives to humans in Genesis 1:28. The author quotes Psalm 8:4-6 in this section but introduces the quote in a strange way: "there is a place where someone has testified..." I don't know why but it just struck me. It actually makes the author seem more human and accessible because I've done the same thing many times: somewhere the Bible says...
The author compares the dominion of humans to the dominion of Christ; because of their sin, humans do not see all of earthly creation in subjection to them - having to defend themselves from wild animals and do battle with weeds, thorns and thistles - but Jesus has assumed his throne, received his crown and all things are subject to him. In this brief description of the willing humiliation of Christ, I hear echoes of Paul's writing in Philippians 2: "being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself and become obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name..."
Again, for the author, it is all about Jesus. For me, I must remember that it is Christ who reigns and that I am under his authourity and rule. I must submit myself to his agenda and his will. However, I must also recognize that I have a responsibility as given by Christ from the beginning of creation to act on Christ's behalf and to be his governor or ambassador in the areas that he has called me to. I have been commissioned by Christ to pursue and stand up for the interests of his kingdom.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Message of Christ is Greater
Hebrews 2:1-4
This section continues the author's train of thought regarding the supremacy of Christ particularly as compared to the angels. However, here we have his application. If Christ is superior to the angels, then the message we have from Christ is superior to the message received from the angels. The message received from the angels refers to the Law. The author's argument is: if disobeying the message received from angels resulted in punishment, how much greater will the punishment be if we disobey the message of Christ.
There is an interesting parallel between 2:4 and 1:1-2. God spoke in various ways at various times through the prophets but has now spoken to us by his Son. The message of his Son is verified by God as seen by various miracles. It almost comes full circle: the various ways in the past culminate in the single voice of Christ which is confirmed to the world in various ways. All of it points to Christ. He is the fulcrum upon which everything rests.
Again, this reminds me of the supremacy of Christ. My life would not be wasted if it was all about Jesus all the time. My life would not be wasted if I looked for every opportunity to speak and live the gospel in some way and if that became the whole focus of my life. This passage serves as a triple warning for me: 1) I must make sure that I submit to the message of Christ in my life. His message is that it is not by works but only through grace that I am saved. When I live in a way that attempts to earn God's favour or to make God owe me something I am violating the message of Christ and I do so at my peril! 2) I must make sure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to hear the message of Christ so that they can submit to it. I must make sure that the message that I am proclaiming and living is the true message of Christ. The author makes it clear: escaping punishment is impossible if the message of Christ is not accepted. This must motivate me to action! 3) Everything is about Christ. I must make sure that my own life is centred around and built upon Jesus. I must make sure that my words and actions point people to Jesus. I long to be part of the long tradition of those who point others to Christ.
This section continues the author's train of thought regarding the supremacy of Christ particularly as compared to the angels. However, here we have his application. If Christ is superior to the angels, then the message we have from Christ is superior to the message received from the angels. The message received from the angels refers to the Law. The author's argument is: if disobeying the message received from angels resulted in punishment, how much greater will the punishment be if we disobey the message of Christ.
There is an interesting parallel between 2:4 and 1:1-2. God spoke in various ways at various times through the prophets but has now spoken to us by his Son. The message of his Son is verified by God as seen by various miracles. It almost comes full circle: the various ways in the past culminate in the single voice of Christ which is confirmed to the world in various ways. All of it points to Christ. He is the fulcrum upon which everything rests.
Again, this reminds me of the supremacy of Christ. My life would not be wasted if it was all about Jesus all the time. My life would not be wasted if I looked for every opportunity to speak and live the gospel in some way and if that became the whole focus of my life. This passage serves as a triple warning for me: 1) I must make sure that I submit to the message of Christ in my life. His message is that it is not by works but only through grace that I am saved. When I live in a way that attempts to earn God's favour or to make God owe me something I am violating the message of Christ and I do so at my peril! 2) I must make sure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to hear the message of Christ so that they can submit to it. I must make sure that the message that I am proclaiming and living is the true message of Christ. The author makes it clear: escaping punishment is impossible if the message of Christ is not accepted. This must motivate me to action! 3) Everything is about Christ. I must make sure that my own life is centred around and built upon Jesus. I must make sure that my words and actions point people to Jesus. I long to be part of the long tradition of those who point others to Christ.
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