Hebrews Chapter Two

                                                                                                                            

Previously, we read chapter one and that awesome verse 3.  We read that Jesus is superior to the prophets and above the angels (messengers).  There is much in the Hebrew culture about angels and their role as messengers between God and man. The writer is showing Jesus as the one perfect mediator. Some of the quotes he chose were unusual. 2 Samuel 7:14 was about Solomon. Psalm 102:26&27 references God the Father (Eli).  Do you remember why these references applicable?

2:1-4 Since Jesus is in this unique God given role, then this chapter should be our response. We should proschein=pay attention to  AND not parrarrein=flowing or slipping past

Both could be used as nautical terms:  to moor a ship   AND   to err and miss a harbor.  What is it that we are mooring to?  Reword verse one using those implications. Don't let your life drift.  It takes a heads-up attitude to make it to our harbor and inattentiveness can mean missing our place of safety. We could end up smashed into the rocks on the shore where there is a lion waiting to devour survivors. 1Peter 5:8

In verse 2, violation is Parabasis = transgression or stepping across a line.

Disobedience is parakoe = imperfect hearing/unwillingness to hear.

Christian revelation is unique in: 1. Origin  -Word made flesh (Though some religions had gods becoming man for a short time, not a lifetime, that incarnation was not the revelation) 2. Transmission through eye witness accounts. (Most prophets write there own revelation – Jesus relied on the Apostles to convey His life.) 3. Effectiveness - gifts of the Spirit manifest especially in the Apostles who recorded the record, and to some extent in all who believe the message.

The point of this summation is that if the Jews were dealt with for not following the Word conveyed by angels, why should we think we can get by with not obeying the word that came through the incarnate Word of God?

2:5-9   Psalm 8:4-6 is about man and the ultimate man.  It sings the glory God gave to man. Man is meant to have dominion but does not and is not what he is intended to be. Jesus steps in to restore man to what God meant for him. The actual is changed to the ideal through Christ.

2:10 archegos = captain, trail-blazer. teleioun= perfect,  spotless lamb, mature scholar, made fully able.  In other words his suffering made Him fully able to make a way to God, fully able to relate to our need and so intercede for us. Suffering identified Him with man, unlike the Greek gods who were detached. Jesus sympathizes with man.  He alone can give us the help we need. OUR perfect intercessor! When we realize what He went through to be that perfect intercessor, our hearts should be held in the grip of his love.

2:11-13 Why do we have any right to be called “holy”? It almost sounds absurd, and yet, the Holy One is making us holy. He did it through His shed blood for us, and He does it daily as He disciplines and corrects us. You would think He would be ashamed to call us brothers. He sees the finished work and so should we. The writer again backs his case with Scripture, Psalm 22:22 and Isaiah 8:18. Compare with Romans 8:29

2:14-15 Since God has chosen to call us “children”, He took on our humanity to make that possible. I can’t imagine living as a Muslim, wondering if I were good enough to make into heaven, or not quite and end up in eternal torment. That would cause you to be a slave of fear. But we know our Lord has conquered the one who had the power of death. How?

Christians need never fear death!

2:16 The author is pointing out that making Jesus just an angel is saying He is our servant. He helps us, but doesn’t serve us! We serve Him!

2:17 By experiencing what it is to walk in this world as a human, we can see that He fully understands and can be merciful and faithful as our High Priest. By becoming a sinless man, He could die in sinful man’s place, turning God’s just wrath from us to Him.

2:18 He endured every temptation you face and was victorious. That is why He can be your perfect counselor. No other human counselor has been 100% victorious.  Why would you go to man first?

Wow! What a packed chapter, full of the awesome wonder of the incarnation and what it means to us.

What did it mean to the Hebrews then?

What does it say to the church throughout time?

Is drifting a problem today?

What does it mean to you right this minute?

Does that call for some response and if so what will you do?