To read: Hebrews 2:10-18
New Revised Standard Version Bible,It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me."
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
This
text gives to us all a great explanation of the reason for and significance of the Easter story! It gives us the "why" of the manhood and suffering of Jesus. It seems amazingly clear, as I read and researched the verses, that the text emphasizes that Christ comes to us through the design of our God, the creator of all things.
Jesus did not come as an angel, to be with angels, but to be with humankind. To fulfill his role as the pioneer of our salvation, he was made man and suffered as a man so he could have unity with us. It was reasonable, then, for him to call us brethren and to speak of and to us as brothers and sisters. In verse 12 he says, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, and in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." In verse 13 again "I will put my trust in him," and then again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me."
Jesus came as a man, a descendant of Abraham, to bring us kindness, compassion and understanding during the difficulties of our lives, and, by his suffering and death, to bring closure to the fear of death and the devil.
How glorious this revelation - to know that Jesus sacrificed himself in accordance with his Father's will, to save his people (that's us, ladies and gentlemen) so that we can live without fear of death and the devil!! Thanks be to God!
To pray:
Dear Lord, please help us to remember to give thanks at every opportunity each day for the sacrifice and unimaginable suffering of Jesus, our Savior, that through grace, we might live in peace and without fear of death and the devil. We need only to accept that gift of grace and give thanks. Amen.
Northern Great Lakes Synod Council member
St. James Church, Marinette, Wisc.