ALL ROADS LEAD TO CHRIST
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST
Hebrews 2 Study continued (vv. 5-18)
The Son Made Lower than Angels
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
“What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him [a]a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, [b]And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made [c]a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who [d]sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
13 And again:
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not [e]give aid to angels, but He does [f]give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being [g]tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
NOTES Hebrews 2 – (vv. 5-18)
2:5-18: The Jews expected the Messiah to be an earthly, conquering king – a political success story, not a failure … They would naturally ask, if Jesus is superior to the angels – indeed, a divine Being, as portrayed here in Chapter 1 of Hebrews – why did He die, especially in a such degrading way??? Hebrews answers that Christ’s humiliation is only temporary – (v. 9), it is only means of redeeming mortal man – (vv. 14-16), and it reestablishes man’s God-intended dominion over all creation, including the ANGELS – (vv. 5-8) …
2:10-11: TO MAKE … PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERINGS does not suggest there was imperfection in Christ before the Cross … rather He voluntarily took on human nature (All of one nature, v. 11), which can be saved and perfected only by the suffering of death … Christ is the pioneering CAPTAIN of the narrow path to God in His suffering for sin, death, descent into hell, Resurrection, and Ascension… In salvation we take on Christ’s way of sufferings… Our perfection requires a growth that is manifested in sufferings …
2:14: In the Incarnation, God did not come in appearance only; He truly assumed FLESH AND BLOOD from the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and became THE SAME as we are so that He could truly enter DEATH and bring us salvation … Christ destroyed the devil’s power by using the devil’s strongest weapon- death itself …
2:15: There is a relationship between sin and death: each one leads to the other … Sin causes death, and the FEAR OF DEATH leads one to sin and thus to BONDAGE – (Romans 5:12) … Christ sets us free from this bondage of sin and death …
2:17-18: IN ALL THINGS HE HAD TO BE MADE LIKE HIS BRETHERN – Christ was even TEMPTED – for what is not assumed is not healed, and what is united to God is saved … The Son is like us in His human nature; we do not become like Him in His divine nature … Hebrews moves without transition from Christ as sacrifice to Christ as HIGH PRIEST, for He is the Offering and Offerer … He is MERCIFUL on behalf of those He serves and FAITHFUL in His Ministry to God …
PSALM 101 (102) Study & Breakdown
Read and broken down from my Orthodox Study Bible …
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