Hebrews 2

“Jesus, Our Brother and Deliverer”

Good morning Pleas take your Bibles and turn to Hebrews chapter 2 and we will begin with verse 5 in just a moment.

Today we’re diving into a profound and powerful passage as we continue in the book of Hebrews. It’s a portion of Scripture that reveals not just who Jesus is in His divinity, but what He has done for us by becoming like us.

Let’s remember that the author of Hebrews is unknown, but is writing to a group of Hebrew people who are being persecuted for their belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some had begun to get caught up in the beliefs of the Qumran Community which had established a commune that included the worship of angels in their reformed Judaism. This would explain the emphasis in Hebrews chapter one on the superiority of Christ over the angels.

Let’s read our passage together.

Text: Hebrews 2:5–18

Hebrews 2:5–18 NASB95

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 pray!

I. Jesus Lowered to Raise Us Up

The writer is quoting Psalm 8 In these first verses to show the prophesy of Jesus. Look at what these verse say again.

Hebrews 2:5–8 NASB95

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.

We need to grasp this. God sent His Son. Jesus who is part of the God head was sent down to earth. But it wasn’t like He was just God dwelling among the people, no God made Him come in human flesh. Lowering Himself to be like us. He did this so that He might taste death. Not death as normal but death for every man. Death for God is impossible for God as a Spiritual being. He is infinite. Jesus death was necessary for us to be saved. Jesus had to humble Himself to become fully man so that He can become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Without Him we stay dead to our sins. We are without hope.

This was God’s Original Design for Humanity. We spoke about this on Wednesday night during discipleship. What appears to be a plan B for God as far as salvation was always plan A. God knew man was going to be disobedient because God is surprised by nothing. His grand plan to save mankind always included our mistakes. To say otherwise is to say He is not God. As we grow in our spiritual walk through discipleship, we begin to see more and more glimpses of God’s plan and how it was planned from the beginning of time.

The writer reflects on Psalm 8 to show God's intention for humans: dominion over creation. But that plan seems broken, doesn’t it? We don’t see everything under our feet. We see suffering, failure, war, disease honestly, life seems unfair.

Look at verse 9, the passage pivots: “But we see Jesus…”

Jesus can now identify with us.

Jesus was “made for a little while lower than the angels.” He stepped down—not just to visit, but to live our life. He didn’t stay above us—He came down. He lowered Himself to walk with us.

Why? So that “by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone”.

He didn’t just die; He tasted death—absorbed it fully. When Jesus died, He was dead. Jesus literally died a human death. Something He could not experience as God without lowering Himself from the creator to being like the created. Jesus entered into the human condition, even into suffering and death, so we might be restored to the glory for which we were created.

We were created to bring God glory and there is nothing about our sinful selves that can bring God glory on own own.

Jesus made us apart of His family.

This selfless act made it possible for you and I to be adopted into God’s family.

Both the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy through sanctification are of the same family according to verse 11.

Jesus is the Author of Salvation

He didn't just send help; He became the help. He suffered in order to lead many sons and daughters to glory. He alone was able to reconcile us to the Father. There was and is no other way.

We are family and Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

Think about that for a moment. The holy, eternal Son of God—who spoke and created the universe—isn’t ashamed to call us His brother or sister. Not because we’re perfect, we are all far from that, but because He made us holy through His suffering.

He quotes Scripture to prove it:

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters…” (Psalm 22)

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.” (Isaiah 8)

This isn’t theological coldness—this is warm, love for a family member. He’s standing with us, not just for us. He is raising us up to higher than the angels who we will rule and reign over as co-heirs to the kingdom.

Like I said before, when we say a loved one has earned their wings, not only does that contradict scripture, it is actually a demotion and insult to our loved one who has been raised higher than the angels.

Let’s keep going.

The Hebrews to whom this was written to were facing terrible persecution for their belief in Jesus Christ. This is where the rubber meets the road. We as Christians are going to face persecution, trials and tribulations.

Too many times we hear preaching and teaching that contradicts this scripture. We act as though if we get saved, everything becomes happy and there are rainbows and unicorns and such. I got news for you, the closer your walk with God, the more trials and tribulations you may have to face because Satan has put a great big target on you. I will go as far as to say that if your life is perfect, and you do not face trials and tribulations, you may want to second guess your salvation and your walk with the Lord.

Scripture is very clear. As a true Christian we will be persecuted. Not might be. We will absolutely be. Listen to this:

2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

James chapter one takes it a step further and says that we are to count it great joy when it happens. Not if it happens, but when it happens as it will build up our endurance for further persecution. So that we will endure until the end.

Life was not easy for this group of discouraged believers to whom this Book was written. Almost certainly they faced the possibility of suffering for their Christianity and they must have wondered whether it was worth suffering for. Why not walk away? Why must they suffer?

For one reason, says our author, because Jesus suffered. Not only did Jesus suffer, He suffered in the worst way possible. Why did He do it? It was the only way He could saved men. To bring about our salvation He came where we are, even though this necessarily involved Him in cruel suffering and, in fact, death. But since men had sinned and brought the penalty of death upon themselves it was inevitable that their Savior should enter their lot, and die their death. It was through death that He destroyed ‘him who has the power of death, that is, the devil’.

Jesus shared our flesh and blood.

Jesus had to become flesh and blood—not just to relate to us, but to defeat the enemy who enslaved us. By dying, He destroyed the one who held the power of death—the devil.

This isn’t abstract theology. This is war. Jesus didn’t just forgive our sins; He waged spiritual battle and won. He liberated us from the fear of death, from lifelong slavery to sin and Satan. To God be all the glory!

Jesus came to be a help for the offspring of Abraham honoring the Father’s covenant.

Jesus didn’t come to help angels—He came to help us. Not just any people, but the children of Abraham—those who believe, those who trust God. That includes us, if we’re in Christ Jesus.

Jesus became a merciful and faithful High Priest. We no longer need any man to serve as an intercessor to the Father. Jesus did away with that and gave us immediate access to the Father directly.

As verse 17 tells us, “For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way…”

He became like us in every way. Not partially, but fully human. Why? So He could be a merciful and faithful high priest.

The priest stood between God and the people. Jesus doesn’t just represent us—He understands us because He humbled Himself to be like us. He brings our weaknesses, tears, temptations to the Father—not with shame, but with mercy.

Verse 18 is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible:

“Because He Himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Do you find yourself facing temptation? Jesus understands. He too was tempted.

Are you suffering? Jesus is near. He too suffered.

Are you afraid of death? Jesus has already gone ahead and broken death’s power over us.

Conclusion: Why does this matter? What might this mean for us, today?

We are not alone. Jesus took on our humanity. He knows our struggles.

We don’t have to fear death. He tasted it and conquered it.

We are family. Jesus is not ashamed of you. He calls you His brothers and His sisters.

You are never helpless. In all temptations, and in all trials, He is able to help you.

Call to Response:

If you are weary, come to Jesus. He knows. If you are in sin, run to Him and repent. He will make purification for your sins. If you are in fear, look to Him. He has conquered death. If you are uncertain, trust Him. He is a merciful and faithful High Priest.

Let us pray.