Made Like His Brethren
A Communion Sunday Message • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Today we are going to do things a little differently. We are going to celebrate communion before delving into the sermon. So, if you folks in video land have not gathered elements to use as you participate, you may want to pause the video and do so now. A bran flake is a fine substitute for the unleavened bread which is a part of this celebration. And a cup of juice, or any other beverage you have on hand will work.
Over this past year we have learned that the Lord’s Table was instituted during the Passover Meal — the last Passover meal Jesus would celebrate on earth before His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
The Passover meal was originally set in the context of Egypt. The children of Israel had dwelt in Egypt for 430 years, and had become slaves in that land. They were treated harshly and cried out to God for deliverance. And God heard their cry and raised up Moses to be their deliverer.
On one specific night, every household of Israel was to slay a lamb and paint some of its blood on the doorframes of their homes. Then they were to roast the lamb over fire, and eat it along with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. The unleavened bread represented the haste with which they were going to leave Egypt the next day.
During His final Passover meal, Christ took elements that were traditionally a part of the meal, and gave them new meaning. Over the years the leavening found in traditional bread came to represent the power of the influence of sin. And thus, since the bread of communion represents the body of Christ, it is appropriate to use unleavened bread for this celebration.
The cup which was shared among the apostles represented the blood of the new covenant which Christ’s death inaugurated. Without the shedding of His blood there would be no forgiveness of sins. Listen as I read Paul’s account of this celebration.
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Now, I want to remind you that this celebration is for those who belong to Jesus. It was given by Jesus as an ordinance for the church to follow in remembrance of His work on the cross. If you recognize that you are not yet a true believer, you should not participate in this celebration.
Further, partaking of these elements does not aid in a person’s salvation. Grace does not come from partaking in this meal. Grace is a free gift which comes from God to those who place their faith and reliance on the person and work of Jesus Christ — His perfect life — His substitutionary death — and His Resurrection from the dead.
With that in mind, let’s give thanks for the bread.
Heavenly Father,
We bow before You thanking You for the provision you have given us in Jesus Christ. You made Him who knew no sin, to become sin for us, so that we could become righteous in Him. We thank You for His sinless life. We thank You for His willingness to be obedient to Your directive to take our place and absorb Your wrath which was directed at us.
Thank You, in Jesus name. Amen.
And when He had given thanks, He broke the bread and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
Let’s eat this bread together in remembrance of Him.
Let’s give thanks for the cup.
Father,
We thank You for the cup which represents the blood of the new covenant. This new covenant provides we who are believers with a new heart — a heart of flesh and not a heart of stone. You have placed within our hearts the ability to recognize the work of Christ on our behalf, and to place our faith and trust in His work, and be saved.
We thank You for His shed blood, for without His shed blood there would be no forgiveness of our sins.
In Jesus name. Amen.
In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Let’s drink this cup together in remembrance of Him.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
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Please turn to Hebrews 2:5-18 as we consider how Jesus had to be Made Like His Brethren.
While this passage is not related to the Passover as we have focused on during communion Sundays this year, it does deal with the death of Christ, which is related to communion.
While the translators of the King James give the Apostle Paul credit for writing the book of Hebrews, modern translators and scholars typically do not. The author is anonymous. There are some strong arguments for Pauline authorship. And there are equally strong arguments against it. So, it is probably best not to speculate.
The author of Hebrews has been arguing for the superiority of Jesus Christ over those things which his Jewish audience hold so dear. In the opening chapters of this epistle the author shows how Jesus is superior to angels.
Jesus is superior to angels because He is the heir of all things. He is also the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature. Jesus in the one who upholds all things by the word of His power.
Jesus is also superior to angels because it was never declared to an angel “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” Or “I will be a Father to Him and He shall be a Son to Me.”
Though angels are not God incarnate, they are very important in God’s order of things. The word which they speak comes directly from God, and thus it is unalterable. And at the beginning of chapter 2 the writer gives a warning about transgressing the message spoken by angels. Such transgression brings a penalty — just ask Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist!
And it is in this context that our text begins.
As we study this text this morning, we will look at the subjection of creation, the pioneer of salvation, Christ’s common bond with His people, the uncommon purpose of His incarnation, and the sympathetic high priest.
Let’s read through our passage together.
For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking.
But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him?
“You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, 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 whom God has given Me.”
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Let’s begin by looking at
The Subjection of Creation
The Subjection of Creation
Throughout the centuries there have been many who worship creation. Their worship may be limited to certain aspects of creation, or it may involve all of creation. Some of the modern day environmentalist movements seem to make earth the thing to which man is subjected. But that was not God’s intention. Creation is not sovereign. Like you and I, it is under subjection. But to whom does it submit?
Note first that,
Creation is not Subjected to Angels
Look at verse 5.
For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking.
Angels were venerated by the Jews so much that some may have made idols out them. But angels are never willing to receive worship. The only OT angel who was ever willing to receive worship is the Angel of Yahweh, who was the preincarnate Jesus Christ. He is willing to be worshiped because He is the Eternal Son of God. He is the Creator of all things.
Angels are spirit beings who were created by God to minister to mankind on God’s behalf. While they are very powerful beings, having enough power to perform the tasks which God has assigned to them, they are not deity.
We need to define what is the world to come. MacArthur wrote, “There is another inhabited world to come. What is it? It is the great millennial Kingdom. The earth itself will be different and all its inhabitants will be different. The animals will be different, and some of the people will be different—redeemed and glorified (cf. Isa. 11:6–7). But the point being made in verse 5 is simply that this new world will not be ruled by angels.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Hebrews, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 52.)
Because of the entrance of sin into this world, the present world is under the rulership of angelic beings. Satan, the chief fallen angel is said to be the prince of the air and the ruler of this world. All who are outside of Christ are citizens of his domain. Also, there is spiritual warfare which exists in this present world between Satan and his host, and the righteous angels such as Michael.
Notice next that,
Creation is not Yet Subjected to Mankind
Creation is not Yet Subjected to Mankind
When God created the first man, Adam, He gave him authority over the earth. He was to be a steward of God’s creation. But man lost some of the power of his stewardship due to sin. All of mankind still has an obligation to steward the earth. But the earth does not cooperate with man’s authority. Look at verses 6.
But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him?
This verse as well as the following two quote from Psalm 8. The habit of the writer of Hebrews is to not refer to the human author. In doing so, he is emphasizing the authorship of the Holy Spirit who is the true author of all of the Bible. As studious as this writer was, he would have known that this was Psalm 8 which was written by David.
In the original text there seems to have been a reference to man in general. Man was made a little lower than the angels. Man was to have dominion over the earth. But man does not at present have dominion over the earth.
Leon Morris pointed out that the term man and the phrase son of man are an example of Hebrew parallelism. They refer to the same thing in a different manner. From the NT perspective we know that Christ referred to Himself as the Son of Man, which tied Him to the eschatological person written about in Daniel’s vision from chapter 7. But that is not the reference from the psalmist. The psalmist is referring to man’s exalted position in God’s creative order of things. And the writer of Hebrews doesn’t refer to Christ until verse 9. So, we need to be careful to not read Him into the text, until we get to that which which speaks of Him.
The psalmist asked “what is man, that You remember Him?” The idea of remembering has to do with helping man. He followed this up by asking “Or the son of man that you are concerned about him?” Here he was asking why it is that the glorious God of creation would stoop down to help man. How He did so will be explained later on in our text.
Look at verses 7-8.
Look at verse 7.
“You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.
“You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands;
There is a sense of the temporary in this verse. Man, for a little while, is made lower than the angels. At this present time angels have a sense of authority over mankind. But during the millennial reign of Christ, believing mankind will reign with Christ. Paul stated that we will actually judge angels at some point in the future.
The first man, Adam, was crowned with glory and honor as the head of God’s earthly creation. He was to be God’s steward on earth. And originally all of creation was glad to have man as it ruler, steward, and caretaker. Of course, the fall of man into sin changed things a lot. No longer would the earth easily cooperate with man. Man would cultivate the earth only to produce thistles and briars.
Look at verse 8.
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.
It was to Adam that God gave the authority to name the various animals, as well as to care for them. All things were under his authority. Notice the last sentence of verse 8. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. That sense of sovereign authority that Adam once had was tarnished in the fall. And it has yet to be restored. Paul wrote that creation groans with birth pangs as it awaits the arrival of its Redeemer.
Notice next that,
Creation is Subjected to Jesus
Look at verse 9.
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Leon Morris wrote, “That Jesus was true man meant a good deal to the writer of Hebrews. Here he is saying that we do not see the psalm fulfilled in mankind at large but we do see it fulfilled in the man Jesus. He had a genuine incarnation because he ‘was made a little lower than the angels.’ But we do not now see him in this lowly place. Now we see him crowned with glory and honor. He is in the place of supremacy that the psalmist envisaged. And he is there because of his saving work, ‘because he suffered death.’” (Leon Morris, “Hebrews,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 25.)
Let’s turn now to,
The Pioneer of Salvation
The Pioneer of Salvation
Look at verse 9 again.
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Jesus had to become man so that He could die. This was an act of God’s amazing grace. MacArthur noted that, “Christ was made for a little while lower than the angels so that He could become a man. He became a man so that He could die. He came to die because His death, and only His death, could accomplish man’s salvation.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Hebrews, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 63.)
MacArthur went on to note, “What moved Jesus Christ to suffer for us? It was grace—free, loving kindness. What we did not deserve (salvation) we received, and what we deserved (death) we did not receive. That is grace. And what prompts grace? Love. Love—unbounded love—prompted Christ’s gracious work on our behalf. Solely on the basis of His own love Jesus died.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Hebrews, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 64–65.)
Note that,
Jesus Pioneered the Trail Called the Narrow Road
Look at verse 10.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
When the author states that it was fitting it means that what God did in bringing many sons to glory through the suffering of Jesus on the cross was in accordance with His character. It is within God’s character to demand payment for sin. And that payment is spiritual death — eternal separation from God. It is in God’s character because He is holy and just. But it is also in God’s character to be merciful and gracious. In Christ’s death God showed Himself to be just in judging the sin of repentant mankind. And He showed Himself to be the gracious in being the justifier of the ungodly who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.
The term translated in the NASB as author of salvation is translated in the KJV as the captain of salvation. It is translated in the CSB as the source of salvation. And in the ESV as the founder of salvation. And each of these translations are appropriate. There is a lot of depth in the meaning of this Greek term. Morris pointed out that “The word contains the thoughts of supremacy, personal participation, and originating something. Any one of these may be prominent. Here it is surely the thought of origination that is stressed, but the choice of word enables the author to see Jesus as one who trod this earthly way before us as he established the way of salvation.” (Leon Morris, “Hebrews,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 27.)
Jesus is the Pioneer who blazed the trail which we walk by faith.
Let’s turn now to
The Common Bond with His People
The Common Bond with His People
Note that,
Believers Have a Common Bond with Christ Because We are Spiritually Born by the Will of the Father
Look at verse 11.
For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Jesus is the One who sanctifies, and believers are the ones who are sanctified. This is a reference to the positional sanctification of believers. We have been set apart for God through the death of Jesus on the cross. And we have been adopted into the family of God, and have become joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
Our positional sanctification brings with it the need for personal progressive sanctification. In this we are each to be actively engaged in putting to death the things which belong to our old way of life, and putting on the things which belong to our new way of life. We are to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus. We are to be growing in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Notice at the end of verse 11, that since we who are believers have come from the same Father as Jesus, He is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. What an awesome thought!
The writer goes on to quote some more from the OT. Look at verses 12-13.
saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, 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 whom God has given Me.”
Time is moving short, so let’s move on to consider
The Uncommon Purpose of the Incarnation
The Uncommon Purpose of the Incarnation
Note that,
Jesus Became Man So He Could Put an End to Satan’s Supreme Area of Power
What is Satan’s supreme area of power? The power of death. Look at verse 14.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
MacArthur noted that the term “Share is from the Greek koinōnia, meaning to have fellowship, communion, or partnership. It involves having something in common with others. All human beings have flesh and blood. In this we are all alike. It is our common nature.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Hebrews, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 69.)
The Eternal Son of God did not have flesh and blood before His incarnation. In the OT He was often seen in the flesh, but it was a temporary garment, and not a permanent one. MacArthur went on to note, “The term translated partook is from a very different word which has to do with taking hold of something that is not naturally one’s own kind. We by nature are flesh and blood; Christ was not. Yet He willingly took hold of something which did not naturally belong to Him. He added to Himself our nature in order that He might die in our place, and that we might take hold of the divine nature that did not belong to us (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4).” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Hebrews, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 69.)
The first reason for Jesus partaking in flesh and blood was so that He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
How did Jesus’ death take away the power of death from Satan? Zane Hodges wrote, “The author did not mean that Satan ceased to exist or to be active. Rather the word he used for [render powerless in NASB95] indicates the annulment of his power over those whom Christ redeems.” (Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 785.)
The second reason for Jesus partaking in flesh and blood is found in verse 15.
and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
We who have been redeemed by Christ need not fear death, because physical death brings an entrance into the glory which awaits for us in heaven.
Look at verse 16.
For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
In verse 6 we noted that God stoops down to give help to mankind. This verse reinforces that truth. Stated in the negative, God does not stoop down to help angels. The righteous angels need no help. And there is no salvation for fallen angels. But God gives help to the descendant of Abraham. The descendants of Abraham are Jews, the nation of Israel. But Paul makes it clear that all who believe, regardless of racial distinctions, are sons of Abraham. So, in that sense God stoops down to help us through the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross. And through the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s turn our attention to
The Sympathetic High Priest
The Sympathetic High Priest
Note that,
Jesus Had to Share the Commonness of Human Flesh in Order to become a Sympathetic High Priest
Look at verse 17.
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
The high priests of Israel were instructed (by man, not necessarily by God) to keep their feelings in control as they went about their duties. In other words, they were not compassionate and merciful. In contrast to this, Jesus is a merciful high priest. He has compassion for those whom He represents before God.
Every year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would first offer a sacrifice for his own sins. Then he would offer a sacrifice for the sins of the nation. He would take some of the blood from the sacrifice and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, which was the covering of the Ark of the Covenant. This became known as the place of propitiation. Morris noted that “‘to propitiate’ relates to putting away the divine wrath (NIV mg.). When people sin, they arouse the wrath of God (Rom 1:18); they become enemies of God (Rom 5:10). One aspect of salvation deals with this wrath, and it is to this the author is directing attention at this point. Christ saves us in a way that takes account of the divine wrath against every evil thing.” (Leon Morris, “Hebrews,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 30.)
How was Jesus able to be a sympathetic high priest? Look at verse 18.
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
The amazing thing is that Jesus was tempted in every which is common to man, yet He never gave into temptation. He remained sinless. Because of His virgin birth He was not a sinner by nature like you and I are. And because He never gave into temptation He was not a sinner by choice either. You and I are both sinners by birth and by choice.
Though Christ will make a way for us to escape the temptations which come our way, He also sympathizes with our weaknesses. He is compassionate and merciful.
As we draw to a close I would like you to consider some of the ramifications for us. Because of the mercy of Christ, we too should be merciful to those who are in need. We can show mercy to those who are ill by being willing to help them carry their burdens in a tangible way. We can show mercy to those who are struggling with sin by encouraging them to continue in this long journey of faith, and by helping them grow to maturity in Christ. We can show mercy to new believers by discipling them and helping them grow in the things of God.
For those who are not believers, I encourage you to entrust your soul to this merciful high priest. You do so by acknowledging that you have sinned against God and are in need of a Savior. You do so by repenting of your sin and embracing the truth of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished on the cross of Calvary.
Let’s pray.
Dear Father,
I come before You thanking You for this time we have had together to meditate on Your word. May these thoughts and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in You sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Closing Song: # 318
I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary
Verses 1-2
There are things as we travel this earth’s shifting sands that transcend all the reason of man; But the things that matter the most in this world, they can never be held in our hand.
I believe in a hill called Mount Calv’ry — I’ll believe whatever the cost; And when time has surrendered and earth is no more, I’ll still cling to that old rugged cross.
I believe that the Christ who was slain on that cross had the power to change lives today; For He changed me completely, a new life is mine, that is why by the cross I will stay.
I believe in a hill called Mount Calv’ry — I’ll believe whatever the cost; And when time has surrendered and earth is no more, I’ll still cling to that old rugged cross.
2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”
