From the diary
of a scribbler,
This is a journey on the study of the person and work of Christ
Jesus. Yesterday we studied chapter 1 which is about Christ’s Supremacy. The point
of application for chapter 1, (Supremacy of Christ) is a clarion call and solemn
warning for both the believer and unbeliever to heed or pay most attention to
what we have heard as stated in chapter 2:1-4.
What exactly
have we heard? First, we have already heard that Jesus is superior to prophets
and angels; that He is the creator; He is God and LORD (Yahweh), (Heb 1: 5-14);
Second, we have heard the great message of salvation, (2:3). This message is
Jesus Himself. He spoke the message of salvation to the early Christians who
were his first-hand witnesses. Those witnesses confirmed the message they heard
from Jesus to the subsequent generations.
What’s the big
deal if you don’t pay attention or heed? Certainly, “You will drift away,”
(2:1). Drifting away is not a sudden departure but a gradual backsliding. It begins
when you hear the message of salvation but do nothing about what it. You see,
if your life isn’t anchored in the Supremacy of Jesus, definitely the currents
of life will hit you left, right and center, gradually drifting away. Secondly,
when we disregard the invitation to salvation, there is a just punishment. If “Violation
and disobedience of the message received from angels (who are inferior to Jesus)
received its just punishment, how much more when we disregard Jesus’ message of
salvation?” (2:2-3). God speaks to man today through His Son Jesus, (1:1-2). Any
witness who brings to us any revelation and/or message except the message of
salvation spoken by Jesus is false and should be shunned. As we confirm to
others the message of salvation which we heard from our forerunners God will
confirm His word with miracles, signs and wonders, (2:4).
The second part
of the Christology of Hebrews 2:5-18, talks about the magnificent humanity of
Jesus. Now, we need to understand that Jesus is not 50% man and 50% God.. One of
the early heresies (Docetism) taught that Christ did not have a real or natural
body during His life on earth but had a phantom one. Those who propagate this
doctrine believe that Jesus was a spirit being but having a human body was an
illusion. However, as a born again Christina I believe Jesus was fully God and
fully man; this is what we call the hypostatic union.
- We
know Jesus is human because God put the world under His subjection, (2:5-9).
-
Back in (Genesis 1:26-30), we know that
God didn’t give angels dominion over earth and man. Even though man was made a
little lower than angels, to him dominion was given to him, (Psalm 8:4-6). God put
all things under his subjection.
-
Application: For Jesus to rule and reign
over the world, He had to become fully human. He took on suffering and died to
defeat Satan and make it possible for man to have dominion over the earth as
God intended.
- We
know Jesus is human because He calls you and me His brother and sister, (2:10-11).
-
It was necessary and fitting for the
sovereign God to make Jesus perfect (not to mean He was lacking in His deity)
through suffering and death, (v. 10). It pleased the Father to bruise Jesus so
that the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy be of the same
family, (Isaiah 53:10). Having paid the price, Jesus is not ashamed to call you
and me His brother and sister, (Heb 2:11b).
-
As our elder Brother, Jesus had to take
on human form, (2:14a); through His death, He dealt with the one who had the
power of death, devil, (2:14b); He freed us from the fear of death, (2:15); He
aids descendants of Abraham (people of faith), not angels when they are tempted
and/or suffering, (2:16).
- We
know Jesus is human because in all things Jesus had to be made like His brethren
that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God and
make atonement to the sins of the people, (2:17).
-
Jesus couldn’t become a merciful and
faithful priest if He didn’t become like us.
-
Because he suffered, He is able to
sympathize and help us when we are being tempted and suffering.
-
Application: When am in despair and/or
hopeless, this is an amazing comfort and hope to know that I serve the God who
by experience knows and understands my pain and sorrow and He is interested in
helping me.
In conclusion,
you and I cannot afford to disregard God’s invitation to Salvation through
Jesus. If we do, drifting away and ultimately eternal punishment is inevitable.
Secondly, it is comforting to know that our High Priest, Jesus Christ made it
possible for us to have God’s intended dominion over the earth and that He
understands our pain and sorrow and will help us.
Regards,
NzakuNashipae
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