Hebrews 2

Context

Hebrews 2 is situated just after the writer’s prologue where he establishes the supremacy of Jesus over the angels. In this chapter, he continues to stress the significance of the message delivered by Jesus and warns readers against neglecting it. There's a sense of urgency for the audience to grasp the pivotal role and position of Christ in the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan.

Theme and Outline

As we delve into the richness of Hebrews 2, we see a beautiful portrait of our Savior. This chapter beckons us to take a closer look at Jesus' role in the grand narrative of our salvation.

The Grave Risk of Neglecting Our Salvation (Hebrews 2:1-4)

Can you imagine the gravity of neglecting the salvation God offers? Remember, even when angels spoke, their words held weight. If every transgression under their message had consequences, think of the weightiness of the message Jesus brings! This is a message that was further attested to by miraculous signs and wonders. And so, my dear brothers and sisters, let us not be found neglecting such a profound salvation.

Jesus: Lowered for a Time, Yet Above All (Hebrews 2:5-9)

We might wonder about the world to come. Who will it be subject to? Scripture makes it clear – it's not the angels. Man, wonderfully crafted by God, was made a tad lower than these heavenly beings. But Christ, in His infinite love and grace, took on flesh, making Himself even lower, all so He could experience death for us. Now exalted, He reigns supreme.

Christ: The Perfect Leader Through Suffering (Hebrews 2:10-13)

It's awe-inspiring to realize that through all of creation, Jesus, the source of everything, was made perfect through what He suffered. This perfected Savior looks upon us and proudly calls us His family. He calls us brothers and sisters, echoing the scriptures that say, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."

This chapter paints a majestic image of a Savior who went to great lengths for us. As we reflect on it, let's draw nearer to Him, understanding more of His love and sacrifice for us.

Proposition

You should heed salvation's call.

The reason I've selected this proposition from Hebrews 2 is due to the urgent plea within the chapter. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the grave danger of neglecting our salvation, reminding us of its unparalleled importance. This salvation, manifested through Jesus, is both a divine gift and a grave responsibility. When the Word of God speaks of such a great salvation – one confirmed by Jesus, testified by signs and wonders, and affirmed by the gifts of the Holy Spirit – it is not a passive message. It is a clarion call. A call that demands our attention, our reverence, and our action.

Illustrations

Noah and the Ark: Consider the story of Noah. God, in His foreknowledge, saw the impending flood that would cover the earth. He gave Noah a message - a divine instruction to build an ark. Now, Noah could have ignored the message, deeming it improbable or even absurd. But he heeded God's warning. He took action. And because he responded to the salvation God offered, not only was he saved, but his entire family was preserved from the deluge. Just as Noah heeded the call for physical salvation, how much more should we heed the spiritual salvation offered through Christ!

The Israelites and the Bronze Serpent: As the children of Israel journeyed in the wilderness, they often grumbled against God and Moses. Due to their rebellion, venomous serpents were sent among them, and many were bitten and died. However, God in His mercy provided a means of salvation. Moses was instructed to make a bronze serpent and lift it up; whoever looked at it after being bitten would live. This bronze serpent, an illustration of Christ being lifted up on the cross, served as a call to salvation. Those who heeded and looked up lived. The message here is clear: when God provides a means of salvation, it's crucial to respond.

Rahab and the Scarlet Cord: Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, might seem an unlikely candidate for salvation. Yet, when she heard about the God of Israel, she believed. The spies instructed her to hang a scarlet cord from her window as a sign, and whoever was in her house would be spared when Jericho fell. Rahab heeded the call. She placed her faith in the God of Israel and acted upon the instruction she was given. And because of her faith and action, she and her family were saved. Rahab's story reminds us that salvation's call is for everyone, and it's our response that makes all the difference.

In each of these biblical illustrations, the underlying message is evident: when God calls, it's vital to listen and act. Just as these figures in the Bible responded to God's call for physical salvation, we are urged to heed the much greater call of spiritual salvation through Jesus Christ.

Reasons You should heed salvation's call

Because negligence makes you drift (Hebrews 2:1): The message of salvation is likened to an anchor for our souls. Without it, just as a ship without an anchor drifts away, we too are at risk of drifting away from the truth.

Because signs confirm it (Hebrews 2:3-4): God didn't just give us a message of salvation; He went above and beyond to validate it. He supplemented this message with signs, wonders, diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each of these serve as divine attestations, proving the veracity and importance of the salvation message.

Because Jesus delivered it (Hebrews 2:2): If every transgression and disobedience under the message delivered by angels received a just recompense, how much more vital is the message of salvation delivered by the Son of God!

Because Jesus personifies it (Hebrews 2:9-10): Our Savior, though He was divine, tasted death for everyone. Through His suffering, He paved the way for our salvation. Jesus' sacrifice wasn't just an act; it was a testament, a living demonstration of the depths and lengths God would go to save us.

In each of these reasons, the underlying imperative is clear: the call of salvation isn't just a message, it's a lifeline. And in heeding it, we not only secure our eternal destiny but also find purpose and direction in our earthly journey. Ways You should heed salvation's call

By listening intently (Hebrews 2:1): The term "give the more earnest heed" translates from "prosechō" (προσέχω), meaning to turn one's mind or attention to something. This word appears in Matthew 6:1, cautioning believers to "Beware" of practicing righteousness before men. Just as one must be vigilant about their motives, we must attentively listen to the salvation message, ensuring it permeates our heart and mind.

By embracing the testimony (Hebrews 2:3-4): When we consider the plethora of witnesses - both human and divine - affirming the message of salvation, we ought to embrace and internalize this testimony. Just as signs, wonders, and diverse miracles validated this message, let these attestations fortify our commitment.

By recognizing Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 2:9): Understand and meditate upon the profound truth that Jesus tasted death for every person. This recognition goes beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment; it requires a heart deeply touched by the Savior's sacrifice.

By identifying with Christ (Hebrews 2:11-12): Jesus isn't a distant deity; He calls us His brothers and sisters. We ought to deepen our relationship with Him, understanding that He's not just our Lord, but also our family. The term "adelphos" (ἀδελφός) which translates as "brethren" or "brothers" in this context, is used in Matthew 12:50 where Jesus says, "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." By aligning our will with God's, we genuinely identify with Christ.

Pointing to Christ

The beauty of Hebrews 2 lies in its revelation of Christ's profound role in our salvation. Throughout the New Testament, we find that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of themes and doctrines elaborated in this chapter.

Christ, the Ultimate Messenger (Hebrews 2:3): While God spoke to our ancestors through prophets at many times and in various ways, in these last days, He speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). This Son is the ultimate messenger, superior to angels and previous mediators.

Christ, the Suffering Savior (Hebrews 2:9-10): Jesus tasted death for everyone, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant who would be "pierced for our transgressions" (Isaiah 53:5). He became the cornerstone, rejected by men but chosen by God (1 Peter 2:4-8).

Christ, the Founder of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10): Jesus is depicted as the "founder" or "captain" of our salvation, leading many sons and daughters to glory. This notion mirrors Jesus' words in John 14:6 where He declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Christ, Our Brother (Hebrews 2:11-13): Jesus isn't a distant deity. He is our brother, affirming the promise in Romans 8:29 that Christ is the "firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

Christ, Our Deliverer (Hebrews 2:14-15): Through His death, Jesus destroyed the devil's power and freed us from the fear of death. This resonates with 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, which proclaims the victory we have through Christ over sin and death.

Every fiber of Hebrews 2 directs our gaze to Jesus. He is the centerpiece, embodying and fulfilling the profound truths outlined in this chapter. As believers, recognizing and embracing this truth strengthens our faith and deepens our love for the Savior.

Gospel Invitation

Hebrews 2 beautifully captures the essence of our faith and the foundation of our hope. Through the person and work of Jesus Christ, we are offered a great salvation, a gift of immeasurable worth.

Each of us has sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). This sin separates us from a holy God and brings about a penalty that we cannot pay on our own. But, in the tapestry of God's redemptive plan, Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh and walked among us. Lowered for a time below the angels, He tasted death for every person, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 2:9).

This is the heart of the gospel message: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus not only made a way for us to be justified, declared righteous before God, but He also provides the means for our daily sanctification, empowering us to live victoriously over sin (Romans 6). And, as we look forward with hope, we anticipate the day when we will be glorified, forever free from the very presence of sin (Romans 8).

Dear friends, Hebrews 2 is a call – a call to not neglect this great salvation. If you've never entrusted your life to Christ, I implore you, heed this call today. For those who believe, it's an invitation to draw nearer, to recognize the depth of Christ's love, and to live in the light of His sacrifice.

Embrace this salvation. Let the death and resurrection of Christ deliver you from the penalty of your sins, empower you against the daily struggles with sin, and fill you with the hope of a glorious future where sin no longer taints your existence. This is the promise and invitation of the gospel. This is the heart of Hebrews 2.

Bibliography

ChatGPT. "A Comprehensive Study on Hebrews 2." OpenAI, 2023.