Part 2. Human nature of the source of our salvation (Hebrews 2:5-3:6)
We can divide this part into 4 smaller parts.
1. Heb 2:5-9
This portion is taken from the prophetic Psalm 8.
We see here “man” & “son of man” (vs. 6)
Man was made little lower than angels.
vs. 8: Now - everything is not under his subjection (The authority and privilege given is Gen 1:26 is lost due to sin)
Vs. 9. "But". Here, David is prophesying about another man who called himself -The Son of Man, Lord Jesus.
- He was made lower than angels for a little while
- Suffered death (angels can't die, hence Jesus had to become lower than angels)
- crowned with glory & honor
David's prophecy got fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ.
Why was he made lower than angels?
Reason is that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Does tasting death need the grace of God?
This death of Christ was not like any other death in the world. This death is “for everyon” or for the whole mankind.
John 12:24 Death was necessary to bring fruit, to bring more people into the life of God.
God's grace comes by humility (1 Pet 5:5)
Which means, when Jesus lived on the earth, He humbled himself → received the grace of God → tasted death with the help of God’s grace → brought life and blessing for all mankind.
Please refer to Мark 8:31-18, Luke 9:22-24, John 12:24,25.
Learning:
Want to be a blessing for others ?
Go through the death (to self, Gal 2:20). This needs grace of God. Grace comes by humility before God (not outward only humility before men) which is shown obeying God's word (James 1:21).
2. Heb 2:10-12
Many sons - we are made God's sons (John 1:12)
Jesus is God's son, we are His brothers (vs 11,12)
We both have one father. Jesus is our eldest brother. Like a younger brother learns from his elder brother, Lord Jesus leads the way, showing us how to live a godly life by the example of his own life.
Ns. 17. He became like His brothers in every
Vs. 14. He took flesh & blood
Vs. 10. He suffered physically → through that suffering, He became perfect/mature
Vs. 11. This is the process of sanctification that God allows in our life. God allows difficult situations for our physical suffering.
Learning:
Follow the example of Christ, our eldest brother. Not that Lord Jesus needed sanctification, but we, who are being sanctified need an example to follow which was given by the life of Lord Jesus. He went through the same physical sufferings we go through and lived a perfect godly life, thereby He is a perfect example for us to follow.
Vs. 18. This applies to the suffering by temptation also.
He is able to help. we have to cry for help in temptation. The original word used for “help” here means the child who cries for help when he stumbles while walking and the father stretches his hand immediately to take hold of his son. This is the help Lord Jesus is ready to extend if we cry when we are being tempted so that we may not fall into sin (temptation in itself is not sin, but yielding to temptation is sin).
1 Cor 10:13 No temptation allowed is beyond ability
But, no man is stronger than his weakest point in temptation. So, cry & get help from God in temptation. (Heb 4:15)
Eg: Peter just had to cry “Lord, save me” when he started to drown while walking on water. That much prayer is sufficient for us also at the point of temptation.
3. Heb 3:1-6
Faithful to God (Vs 2)
Moses (Num 12:7) was testified / certified by God as faithful.
Vs.3, 4. Jesus is greater than Moses as a builder is greater than the house.
Vs. 5. Moses was faithful as a servant
Vs. 6. Christ is faithful as a Son (a servant works for wages, honor, position, promotion, rewards, etc. where as a son works without expecting any of these)
Lk 2:49 Jesus recognized as early as at 12 years of age that he is in His Father's business.
Vs.2. faithful to God (who appointed/sent him)
Jn 5:30,6:38 Not to do own will, but God's will
Jn 7:15-18 Not spoke on his own
Learning:
Live faithfully, faithful as son both in works and words.
4. Heb 5:7-9.
In the days of his flesh/humanity,
Jesus offered prayers & supplications. This shows His dependence on God the Father.
Jesus lived by faith, on God (Heb 2:13, what an astonishing prophetic verse that says Lord Jesus lived by faith on the earth).
“To Him who was able to save him from death”
Was Jesus afraid of physical death? (Jn 14:1, Mt 20:28 Jesus was well prepared to face the physical death)
He was more concerned about spiritual death - separation from God the Father
a)
Rom 6:23 sin brings death (death is the result of sin)
2 Cor 5:21 Christ was made “sin” for us.
On the Cross, the Holy God saw the “sin” in the place of His only begotten son. Being absolutely Holy, He could not even for a moment cannot maintain contact with sin (even if it is His only begotten son who is now made “sin” for mankind). God left the hand of Jesus on the cross, which is nothing but the spiritual death. Yes, Jesus experiences spiritual death on the cross for us. It is the Hell, separation from God. Jesus experienced the Hell so that we can be saved from eternal Hell, eternal separation from God.
b)
Rom 8:6 Mind set on flesh is death (Carnal mind brings death as much as sin does).
Gal 5:16, 17 Carnal mind is against the spirit & spiritual things. It tries to satisfy the desires of flesh.
1 Cor 2:14 flesh/carnal mind cannot understand the things of Spirit
So, Jesus must have been praying for deliverance from such dangers. He feared God and hence, his prayer was heard.
Learning:
Prayer & fear of God together give us deliverance from the life of death.
Stay tuned for more notes from my study on Epistle to Hebrews...
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