The Superior Messenger - Part 7

READ: Hebrews 2:10-18
For it was fitting for him, on account of whom all things are and through whom are all things, having led many sons to glory, to make complete the originator of their salvation through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one; on account of which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of an assembly I will praise you in song." And again, "I will be one who has trusted in him," and again, "Look, I and the children whom God gave to me."

Therefore, since the children have shared in blood and flesh, he himself also in a similar way shared the same, so that through death he might abolish the one who has the power of death - this one is the devil - and he might set free these, as many as by fear of death through all of life were subject to slavery. For certainly he does not help angles, but he helps offspring of Abraham.

Wherefore, he was obligated in every way to be made like his brothers, so that he might become a compassionate and faithful high priest for the things pertaining to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people, in that he has suffered, himself having been tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

REFLECT
There are so many exciting trees to view in this passage that it is very easy to miss the forest! Jesus came into this world to help us, but to do so he had to become like us in every way. And that involved not only become just like us physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Though he was, and still is, "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being," he is also just like us in every way! The only difference is that, though he suffered as he was tempted, he never once gave into that temptation. In that way he was made complete (or was adequately prepared) as the originator of our salvation.

Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers. Do you believe that? He knows that we are sinners and are completely dependent on God's grace through his sacrifice to be right with God. He know that when we are tempted, unfortunately, we often give into that temptation and sin. He knows that we are weak in our flesh, even when we are committed in our spirit. He's been here, done that! He knows! Yet he is not ashamed to call us brothers! If you are a disciple of Jesus, you are Jesus' brother and he unashamedly calls you his brother - with all your weaknesses and sins. Jesus, our Lord, our Saviour, and our brother!

No other religion or philosophy in the world has this as its message. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ provides the inhabitants of the world with a merciful high priest, one who is able to help/assist us in our need, whether it be for forgiveness or strength or wisdom or faith!

PRAY
Father, it never ceases to amaze me the lengths to which you have gone to provide for my salvation. From conception through to death, and even now at your right hand, the Word became flesh, in every way just like us. Truly Jesus is my brother and he is unashamed to call me his brother. May I never lose the astonishment and gratitude that I feel at this moment, as I reflect on the reality that God became a human being and faced all the challenges I face in my life, just so he could be the originator of my salvation and my high priest. He became a son of man so that I could become a son of God! I have all that I need in Jesus to manage anything and everything that comes my way today, for it is not angel he helps but Abraham's descendants. May I, Father, today be truly a descendant of Abraham and live my life for you by faith and thus bring you glory and honour and lift up the name of Jesus to the world.

OBEY
Do you truly see what God has done for you so that you might have a relationship with him? Are you filled with joy and excitement and gratitude knowing that Jesus is not ashamed to call you his brother/sister? Do you grasp that you have a high priest who is merciful and faithful and can help you today?