Hebrews 2

The author starts with a "therefore" so we must look back at Hebrews 1 to understand the context. The previous context was to help the reader to understand that Jesus was placed higher than the angels in His divinity and power and supremacy. Now the author challenges the reader to listen closely and pay careful attention. He challenges us to pay careful attention to the message of salvation (attested by the angels) -- Jesus Christ. He then unpacks how Jesus was made lower than the angels when He became man on the earth. Wait a minute -- he just said that Jesus was above the angels in the previous chapter.

While this may be confusing, it is important to remember important facts about Jesus. He was there when the world was created. He was there through all of the Old Testament. He was not there as a man. It is only that we get to know about Jesus as a man in the New Testament. God helps us to understand His Son's sacrifice for us while in human form. It is during that period that Jesus was made lower than the angels. He was made to suffer death so that He could serve as the ultimate payment for our own death (v9).

I need to take a moment and consider that. This isn't something to breeze over. In Hebrews 1:6, the author quotes Deuteronomy 32:43 and states:

Let all God's angels worship Him

This is the Son of God, who is worshiped by angels, who came to this earth as a man to suffer and to die for my sins. Why in the world would He ever do this? There isn't anything in me that would draw Him to me for any reason. Yet the one for whom and by whom all things exist (v10) suffered the ultimate punishment for my salvation. I am so unworthy of this grace.

In verses 17 and 18, the writer reminds the Hebrews of Jesus' humanity. He was made like His brother (Christians) in every way. There could not be any accusation of Jesus not sinning because He wasn't really human and didn't understand our hardships. He understood them. He took them all on Himself and died on the cross for our sins. He took the punishment that we rightly deserved. He made the sacrifice on behalf (propitiation) of our sins! Jesus was God made flesh and He knew our struggles and our temptations. He knew our worries and sorrows. He knew our love (or lack thereof quite often). Our Savior, Jesus Christ, knew us.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for Your Word which helps me to know more about you, more about Jesus and more about myself. Thank you, Father, for sending your Son to this earth to pay for my sins. I could never atone for my own mistakes but you knew that and provided a way. You stepped in and demonstrated Your grace in a way that the world can hardly understand. You gave your only Son to die on a cross -- to take on my sins -- so that I could know you, have a relationship with you and be with you for eternity. Father, I pray these things in Jesus name. Amen.

JASON WORTHEN | Elder

Jason and Larissa were part of the founding members of Hutto Bible Church in 2007. Previously, they attended Hill County Bible Church Pflugerville for nearly six years. They have been married for 16 years and have three daughters: Elisabeth, Sarah and Rebekah. Jason is employed by General Motors and Larissa is a stay-at-home mom who works three times as hard. Jason put his trust in Christ in 2003 when he was attending Bible Study Fellowship in Austin. Both Jason and Larissa have served in Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry and in an elder capacity.