Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Heb 2.1 and following. Indeed, “God… spoke to us in the Son…”, which is why we must pay greater attention to the things we have heard… Already, on the holy mountain, a voice from heaven had solemnly enjoined the three disciples to listen, no longer Moses or Elijah, but the beloved Son. “And they, looking up, saw no one but Jesus alone” (Mat 17:1-8). We too, by faith, “see Jesus…” In the previous teaching Jesus presented according to his divine titles of Creator and Firstborn. He appears to us here as the glorified Man and the conqueror of death. Wethe angels of God pay homage to Him; here Jesus was made a little inferior to them because of this death of which He must have known the infinitely bitter taste.
But Ps 8 quoted here reveals to us the whole of God’s purpose towards “the man Christ Jesus”. A crown of glory and honor is on his forehead; universal dominion belongs to Him by right; soon everything will bend under his law. But already the place occupied by “the head of our salvation” proclaims the excellence of this salvation. How will we escape if we neglect it(Hb 10:23-31)? Let’s note: it is enough to be careless, to postpone … Yes, let us hasten to grasp “such a great salvation”. It was suitable for God… to make perfect through suffering the head of our salvation. “It pleased the Lord to bruise him; he subjected him to suffering,” says Isaiah 53:10-12. And for what purpose? In order to bring several sons to glory. “If he gives up his soul as a sacrifice for sin, he will see offspring” – also adds the prophet. It can be noted throughout the epistle that the exposition of each of the parts of the subject is followed by an exhortation or a call addressed to the conscience, to the heart, or to the responsibility of the reader of the Word. This is what we find in the first four verses of our chapter.
For if God spoke to us in the Son, whose divine greatness has just been placed before our eyes, what attention should we not pay to the things we have heard from his mouth, with what energy should we not attach ourselves to them! We are otherwise in danger of “moving away”, or “sliding away”, like a ship that, at the moment of entering the port, is driven by the current and risks perishing. “The word spoken by angels”: Often heavenly messengers were employed under the old covenant to bring divine communications, but here it is especially about the law. It was “ordained by angels,” says Paul (Gal 3.19). “You who have received the law by the disposition of angels,” says Stephen (Acts 7.53). But this law has been inexorable with regard to all transgression and disobedience, as the entire history of Israel demonstrates. How, then, can we escape just retribution, chastisement and condemnation, if one despises the grace that brings such great salvation?
The greatness of this salvation stands out in every way. It is great in itself, for it extends to all that concerns us: to transgressions, to the daily difficulties of the way, to the final deliverance from the residue, to the deliverance of our body from humiliation. What to find in its place, if we neglect it? How to escape? But it is great above all, when we consider the One who brought it to us and who announced it. It was the Lord, the great Apostle of God, who proclaimed him during his lifetime and fulfilled him in his death. Then the apostles, who had heard him announce from his mouth, confirmed him in their preaching after his death, resurrection and ascension. But there is more: God Himself bore witness with them. The Holy Spirit who was in them manifested his divine power through signs, wonders and miracles – various distributions of this Spirit, according to whether he pleased God. All of this brings out the greatness of salvation brought by the gospel.
It is beautiful to see here the author of the epistle, placing himself in the midst of those to whom he addresses himself, as being himself for the benefit of the ministry of the twelve – “has been confirmed tous”, he says. The apostle Paul did not share in this testimony, of which the Lord says, in John 15. 27: “And you too will bear witness; because from the beginning you are with me.” It was necessary, as Peter says, to have been with those whom Jesus had first chosen, for the whole time that the Lord Jesus entered and came out in their midst, from John’s baptism to his ascension. One must have witnessed his resurrection (Acts 1. 21-22). But Paul’s testimony was different: He had seen Christ in glory. When it comes to the revelation of the mystery, of the Church as the body of Christ, Paul is the greatest apostle. He had received nothing from others about his special ministry; even those who were columns had not communicated anything to him (Gal 2). But here, placing himself in the midst of the believing Hebrews, he is, like them, a disciple of the twelve.
This is a fine example of the dependence of ministries on each other (2 Peter 3.15-16). Christ is represented here as a merciful and faithful high priest on behalf of those who are still here called his brothers; therefore, in all things he had to be made like them, to participate in their condition (apart from sin). Christ’s priesthood for believers occupies a great place in hebrews. Christ became a man here on earth, so that he could perform this priestly office in heaven. First, he did here on earth all that was needed to atone for sins: it was about God, his righteousness, his holiness and his glory. Our Savior was merciful to us who otherwise perished; and he was faithful to God to do his will and glorify him.
For in passing on earth, he went through pains and trials of various kinds, to which we ourselves exposed ourselves as Christians in a world that was an enemy of God. He has suffered in his heart, he has met the opposition of men, he has been tempted – not by sin – but tested in his character as an obedient and devoted man, he has been exercised in every way, and this is how in deep sympathy he can help us in these exercises, these trials, these temptations, through which we have to pass. So now he constantly shows himself to be a merciful and faithful high priest. How precious it is for the heart and encouraging for the soul to contemplate it in this way in heaven, taking an interest in us before God. Wewill notice that in general, when the author speaks of sacrifices and the office of the priests, he is referring to what was happening in the open of the Atonements, according to what is developed in Lev. 16.C is what we see in these words: “To make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Lev 16. 17, 24, 33, 34). On that day, Aaron fulfilled a double office: he offered victims and at the same time carried their blood inside the veil, so that propitiation would be made before God for the sins of the people.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Such a big greeting:
- Spiritual hearing of believers
Pr 15:31 The attentive ear to the reprimands that lead to life Makes his stay in the midst of the sages. Ha 3:2 Eternal, I have heard what you have announced, I am seized with fear. Do your work in the course of the years, O Lord! In the course of the years manifest it! But in your anger remember your compassions! Lk 8:15 What has fallen into the good earth are those who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold it back, and bear fruit with perseverance. Rev 2:11 I know your works, your work, and your perseverance. I know you can’t stand the bad guys; that you have tested those who call themselves apostles and who are not, and that you have found them liars;
- Word of the Apostles about the Future of the Wicked
Rom 2:8 but irritation and anger to those who, in the spirit of contention, are rebellious to the truth and obey injustice. Hb 2:2-3 For if the word announced by angels has had its effect, and if every transgression and disobedience has received just retribution, 3 how shall we escape by neglecting such a great salvation, which, first announced by the Lord, has been confirmed to us by those who have heard it, 2 Pet 2:4-5 For if God has not spared the angels who have sinned, but if he has thrown them into the abyss of darkness and reserves them for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the old world, but if he saved Noah, the eighth preacher of righteousness, when he brought the flood upon a world of ungodly; Jude 13 of the furious waves of the sea, rejecting the foam of their impurities; of the wandering stars, to which the darkness of darkness is reserved for eternity. Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment rises centuries to the ages of ages; and they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.
- Works of God
Ps 8:4 When I contemplate the heavens, work of your hands, The moon and the stars you have created: Ps 19:2 The heavens tell of the glory of God, and the expanse manifests the work of his hands. Ps 111:4 He left the memory of his wonders, The Lord is merciful and compassionate. Ps 139:14 I praise you for being such a wonderful creature. Your works are admirable, and my soul recognizes it well. Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the lamb, saying: Your works are great and admirable, Lord God Almighty! Your ways are just and true, king of the nations!
- God as Divine Liberator
Ps 18:18 He delivered me from my powerful adversary, from my enemies who were stronger than me. Jer 1:8 Fear not, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Dn 6:28 Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius, and during the reign of Cyrus, the Persian. Hb 2:15 and that he delivered all those who, for fear of death, were held in bondage all their lives.
From all of the above, we see Christ fulfilling God’s plan to bring many sons to glory, becoming the Head of their salvation. For this he put on human nature, 1° so that, by his sufferings, he might satisfy what was required by the holiness and majesty of God as to the state of those whom he came to save; 2 ° in order to die, and by his death to render powerless the one who had the empire of death, the devil, and thus deliver the saints from the fear of death; 3 ° in order to be for them a high priest who rescues them, himself having been tempted as they are. These children that God gave to Christ to be his companions in glory are his dear redeemed people. “He is not ashamed to call them brothers.” But in order to be able to take their cause into his own hands, He had to be made like them, to become truly a man. And our chapter gives us of this great mystery threemotives of infinite price: first, Jesus came into our nature to glorify God by restarting our history and allow him to realize his plans for man. Then He took a body so that he could die and thus win the victory over the prince of death in his own fortress. And finally, Jesus clothed our humanity to enter more perfectly into our sorrows and understand them with a human heart. His own experience of suffering allows him to fully sympathize with our trials as a faithful and merciful priest. What consolation for all the afflicted! Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “Jesus is superior to Moses.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.