Hebrews 2:5-18 - Grounded Christians

There’s an old hymn that went like this:

Tell me the old, old story Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love. Tell me the story simply, As to a little child; For I am weak and weary, And helpless and defiled.

Tell me the story slowly, That I may take it in - That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin. Tell me the story often, For I forget so soon; The early dew of morning Has passed away at noon.

Tell me the same old story When you have cause to fear That this world's empty glory Is costing me too dear. Tell me the story always, If you would really be, In any time of trouble, A comforter to me. 

It’s important that as Christians, we tell and embrace the whole story of the Bible. In these times when we are tempted to make it on our own, or look for the immediate solutiuons to our challenges, that we go back and we are reminded of the Gospel story. We remind ourselves of where our hope lies. What is the basis for our faith. Why we trust Jesus!

In the telling, we remimber this, God made you for His purpose. There is design in your being.

1. God's purpose for us vs 5-8

Hebrews 2:5–8 CSB

5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But someone somewhere has testified: What is man that you remember him, or the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him lower than the angels for a short time; you crowned him with glory and honor 8 and subjected everything under his feet. For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.

He created us with purpose

1.1. Designed for worship

We are to be in awe v6b

He quotes Psalm 8. That Psalm begins by magnifying God, marvelling at God. He’s in awe of God in His greatness, His ways, and His power. Then he shifts to himself and marvels that this great God would even consider him. And God does!

The Creator of the universe remembers and cares for us. We get this in the provision of God in daily ways - air, food, experiencing His mercy every morning. But we also get it as we consider God becoming flesh to die in our place. Caring for us in the greatest way possible!

As I read this, it feels like the author feels wonder and amazement and this leads to worship. That’s right. There should be a sense of insignificance and yet wonder that the God of the universe sees us and works in and around us for His glory and our good.

Surely this leads to worship.

1.2. Designed as image bearers v7

i. Unique to God’s design for human beings

Give humankind value and worth

We are meant to be a unique reflection of God.

ii. We are different to angels

We are made in the image of God - they are not. We are image bearers of God who have rank higher than angels but for now are lower than the angels, but just for a time.

Right now, they get to serve in the immediate presence of God. We will one day be in that place.

iii. We will be placed higher than the angels

Angels don’t get redeemed

Angels don’t get adopted as Sons

Right now they rank higher, but it’s not forever.

There will be a change in order that angels will be under us and we will rule over them 1 Cor 6:3.

Say a king has a son, and for a while he’s under tutors… who is higher? Just for a little while the tutor is, but the destiny of that son ultimately is to be in control of the whole country. That’s a pretty amazing thought, right? We are to be higher in privilege and position and glory than the angels!

1.3. Designed to rule v8a

This was our creation mandate - fill the earth and subdues it. “God made human beings to be the guardians, protectors, and rulers of this world. He intended it that way for his glory and our blessing.”

This is where it challnges us - we don’t always see this.

We see wars

We see disease

We see polution

We see nations rise and fall.

We know something is wrong.

Where are we meant to find comfort when we are in a world in which it's difficult to see how everything has been brought into subjection to man? Sin distorts God’s image and mankinds purpose. Sin wants us to be in the centre and not God.

In this darkness, a light shines.

But what do we see?

2. God’s purpose in sending His Son v9

Hebrews 2:9 CSB

9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

Note the parallels

2.1. We see Jesus made lower than the angels

We see the intervention of God.

We see Jesus brought to our level. God became man. This is a remarkable revelation that the God of the universe send’s His Son to become fully human and live a perfect live and die and aweful death.

God’s plan was that Jesus was to taste death for everyone!

2.2. We see Jesus crowned with glory and honour

Because of the suffering of death.

He rose again, declaring the victory over Satan, sin and death. He has been exalted to the highest place and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He has been given the name that is above every name. And there will be a time when every tongue will confess that He is Lord!

3. God’s purpose in Christ’s suffering vs 10-18

Hebrews 2:10–18 CSB

10 For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying: I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; I will sing hymns to you in the congregation. 13 Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me. 14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

It’s as if we are getting a macro version of what God has done for us. It was right (entirely appropriate) - it was what was needed for God’s justice to be maintained and for us to full assuance of faith that our sins have been dealt with.

3.1. He pioneered (initiated) and perfected (completed) what we needed to be saved

He became man to destroy sin, death and the devil! He came to bring freedom because we were in slavery. This world would have you believe that the rejection of God is freedom, but in the saving work of Christ there is freedom. Not even in keeping the law i.e. trying to be a good person.

Galatians 5:1 CSB

1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.

While sin ensalves, God frees!

That freedom has present implications and reality.

No fear about dying - that would have been on the minds of the believers this was being written to. It’s relevant for us who are learning what it means to walk in freedom.

Keller “All death can now do to Christians is to make their lives infinitely better.”

No fear in living - I don’t need to be anxious because God is for me. I don’t need to fear man because I have been saved to serve Jesus. He has given us His Spirit and where the Spirit is, there is freedom (2 Cor 3:17-18.

What’s the impact of freedom on time, talents, possessions?

3.2. He makes us family v10-13

God makes it possible for us to call Him Father.

Here’s the thing, the one who sanctifies (Jesus) and those who are sanctified (you and me), have the same Father. This is the wonder of our adoption.

So, God is our Father and Jesus is our brother and He’s not ashamed of us. We’re not the family members that He doesn’t want to talk about. There are a lot of chequered pasts in the Bible.

When you read Jesus’ genealogy and you see things like:

Rahab, a prostitute.

Unwed mothers.

A girl who was raped by her uncle.

David’s illegitimate son born out of adultery.

People who failed and embarrassed themselves.

These were the people Jesus included in His genealogy. He was not ashamed. They were His brothers and sisters.

3.4. He becomes a merciful and faithful high priest v17

A priest who makes atonement for our sins and He intercedes for us. We only need Jesus there.

3.5. A helper to those who are tempted v16

He’s been tempted. He overcame every temptation and He was without sin.

The word that is used here for “help” means “to run on hearing a cry.” God is here for us! He coems to our rescue.

Fearful

Want to be in control

Faith is weak

The flesh and it’s desires seem strong

Christ is enough for me!