Hebrews 2:9-18; 4:14-16
Introduction:
1. While I am thankful more people are mindful that the Christ came to earth right now, we are focusing our attention on why He came and what He accomplished.
2. This morning, we will ponder how His sharing in our humanity empowers us to live lives of holiness, confident in His intercession as our Great High Priest.
Discussion:
I. Humbled and Exalted (2:9-15)
A. Citing Psalm 8:4-6, the writer described humanity’s position in God’s scheme as “a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:5-8).
B. The conclusion was that, at present, he (humanity) does not occupy the fullness of God’s intended position (2:8b).
C. He then introduced Jesus as the ideal human, temporarily lower than angels, crowned with glory and honor by suffering death for us (2:9).
D. Notice the outworking of His incarnation:
1. Bringing many sons to glory (2:10).
2. Solidarity with our condition (2:11; 4:15)
3. Becoming our brother (2:11-13; Romans 8:14-17).
4. Defeating death and the one who brought it, and freeing us from the fear thereof (2:14-15; Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
II. Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest (2:16-17)
A. Having defeated death, Jesus ascended back to the Father’s right hand (Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:6-11) and became our High Priest.
B. As such He intercedes on our behalf with God (2:17; 5:1; 7:23-25; 1 Timothy 2:4-5; 1 John 2:1-2).
C. His role in this is three-fold:
1. He is the atoning sacrifice (1 John 2:2; 4:10).
2. He is the place of our atonement (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:5).
3. He is the High Priest who offered the atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-14).
III. Empowering Our Faithfulness (2:18; 4:14-16)
A. This He did to help the seed of Abraham conquer sin (2:16, 18; 4:14-16; Galatians 3:26-4:5).
B. This reality is intended to prompt us to:
1. “…hold fast our confession” (4:14; 10:19-25).
2. Having confidence in His sympathy (4:15).
3. Knowing He granted us access to the throne of grace to obtain the help we need (4:16).
C. As Paul and John echoed, His grace and mercy serve as a catalyst to our faithfulness, not a license to sin (Romans 2:4; 1 John 2:1).
D. All who have such hope in Him will be about the business of purifying themselves as He is pure (1 John 3:1-3; cf. John 14:15; 15:14).
Conclusion:
1. Emmanuel coming into the world is a reality worth our attention, to be sure.
2. As we peel back the layers of all that He delivered when He came, that sense of awe and wonder must grow with the understanding.
3. How could these truths ever slip our view?
4. May we let them mold our character into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Further Food for Thought
1. What part of the above stands out most in your mind?
2. How does the focus on the same strike you in your heart and mind?
3. Does it strengthen your resolve to serve Him more faithfully?
4. Does it give you greater courage as you go about doing so?