Maintain The Course of Faith! Series, Hebrews 2:10-18
The Omicron XBB.1.5 is like biblical faith. Christians are infected by faith, and would show it, but some are asymptomatic. Christians don’t act in faith. Take for example the primary audience of this letter to the Hebrews we’re currently studying. Some Hebrew Christians were considering on going back to the Old Testament practices. And thus, the author was encouraging them to be faithful to Jesus and to the church.
And there was the group of unbelievers who heard about Jesus and had been intellectually convinced He was the Messiah, but they have had not given up their rituals and traditions in favor of completely following Jesus and His teachings. Hence, they were enlightened but not saved yet.
In this last 8 verses of chapter 2, the author, describes why the Messiah became one of us and worthy of following Him in faith. First, the author said, Jesus came…
1. To be the pioneer of our salvation.
“10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” Hebrews 2:10, NIV.
· God planned to bring many people to eternal salvation.
· Jesus executed His Father’s salvation plan by becoming one of us.
· Jesus pioneered the faith by leading people to believe in God’s promise of salvation.
· God planned, Jesus executed, and God expects us to respond to His plan.
· The more people brought to salvation according to His plan, the more God is glorified.
Jesus came…
2. To bring people into God’s family.
“12 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” Hebrews 2:12, NIV.
· A quote from Psalm 22:22.
· David’s description of his sufferings was similar to the suffering of Christ, though the latter suffered even more.
· David looked to the day when God would come and save his family from all troubles so he can praise him in the assembly of God’s people.
· While Hebrews 2:12 was more of Jesus praising God for the deliverance and protection of God’s children from eternal punishment.
· This text also means that God planned to expand his family and bring more people to His glory.
· Jesus is not ashamed to be associated with all believers, even calling them his own family.
3. To become our sympathetic Priest.
“17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:17-18, NIV.
· Jesus is the closest that we can ever be with His Father.
· Jesus was subjected to temptations and weaknesses so he can personally relate to our struggles.
· Jesus suffered, died, and rose again so he can serve as our sympathetic priest forever.
· He is our priest who promised to be with us, even in the days of troubles.
· He is our priest who helps us stand when our faith wobbles.
· He intercedes to God in our behalf to give us help and wisdom.