The Founder of Salvation

In Chapter 1 we saw that Christ was greater than the prophets and greater than the angels then last week at the start of chapter 2 we saw that the direct application of his supremecy is that if we trust the message of the prophets and the angels we should trust the message of the Son.

Now in vs 5-18 the author goes back to the idea of the supremecy of Christ and builds on it. Look with me at Hebrews 2:5-18

Hebrews 2:5–18 ESV

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

All Things are Subject to Him

Hebrews 2:5–8 ESV

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.

For a little while Christ was lower than the angels - during his time on earth

For a time God the Son set aside his glory to be like a normal man

He retained all His authority remember the demons obeyed Him and He told Peter in the garden that He could call 12 legions of angels to protect Himself if He desired.

Yet He did not radiate His Godliness His perfection did not shine as it did when He spoke to Moses or when he appeared to Joshua or in the furnace with Shadrach Meshach and Abendego. Instead he looked common undistinguished in the eyes of man

Now he is crowned with glory and honor

Glory that was his from the beginning and the Honor of the Messiah the Savior of the world Today all around the world people praise the name of Jesus. 2000 years after his death and we proclaim his greatness. All glory and honor is His.

Everything is in subjection to him

Notice it is not just his servants in subjection it is not just his kingdom or his realm but rather it is everything all of creation everything that has been made nothing is left outside of his rulership.

The lost the saved the preacher or the antagonist to the gospel, the rich the poor, the sick the healthy, the saints and the sinners, the angels and the demons are all under the authority of Christ.

The Source of Salvation

Hebrews 2:9–12 ESV

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Crowned with Glory and Honor because of his sacrificial death

by the grace of God he might taste death for all

Jesus died so we did not have to that is why we sing praises to his name.

Yet why did he have to suffer could he not just have died why the mock trial the beatings the scourging and the cross. Why such pain and suffering

vs 10

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

He- God is the subject the one who made all things for his pleasure and who sought to save mankind

It was fitting that he should make Christ the founder of our salvation perfect through suffering

Christ was deemed worthy to be the sacrifice for our sins by his suffering. Everything else up to this point was necessary but would have been insufficient without the suffering of Christ. We will see why in just a moment

First notice what he says in vs 11

Hebrews 2:11 ESV

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have one source literally are one essence

We who believe in God become as He is. This is speaking of one nature or one family. Notice he Jesus then calls us brothers and the father calls us children. We upon salvation are adopted into the family of God and are sanctified by Christ holy sacrifice.

Freed from Slavery

Hebrews 2:14–16 ESV

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.

Two reasons Jesus had to suffer death first so that we might be freed from Slavery

Remember we had sold ourselves into slavery to Satan when we listened to him in the Garden of Eden. Since then all man has been born into sin. Corrupt from inception and born desiring lusting for sin.

By becoming one nature with us that is by Him becoming a man he was able to overcome death on the behalf of man and destroy the power of the devil.

We have been delivered from fear and death and slavery to sin by the power of the resurrected Jesus Christ.

No longer are we unable to resist sin and the works of Satan. Rather we stand in the blessed holiness of Christ.

The Merciful High Priest

Hebrews 2:17–18 ESV

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus became like us in every respect.

He knew tiredness weakness hunger pain loneliness hurt abandonment sadness grief fear suffering and even death. There is no struggle no sin that Jesus did not face and because of that

he is merciful and faithful high priest

He knows what your going through and shows mercy

He is faithful to never leave you he is with you every step of the way

He has made propitiation - or attonement or payment for our sins

He is now desiring to help us in our temptations.

Who better to ask for help than the one who has faced that struggle and come out victorious.

Who better to ask for help than the one who loves you enough to die for you

Who better to ask for help than the one who as all power and authority

Who better to ask for help than Jesus Christ your blessed redeemer the son of God.