Christmas destroys the devil's kingdom...

Joel Gilbert

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In turning to the book of Hebrews let me just comment on the book for a moment.

The books main theme is the supremacy of Christ over all things

and the fullness of God’s redemption in Him.

The whole purpose of the letter is that the author is exhorting his readers not to draw back.

But to stand firm in the faith in the midst of the trials they are enduring.

Then when we come to chapter two, that main theme of

the supremacy of Christ over all things and

the fullness of God’s redemption in Him

in your mind and then you read this warning:

1 "For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.” ()

We are warned to pay careful attention to the gospel.

If God justly punished people for violating the Mosaic commands, then He will certainly punish people for neglecting the gospel of Christ.

Then in vv5-18 the author speaks about Jesus and the Destiny of mankind.

He quotes from and briefly explains specific phrases from in v8-9 and

then he reflects on its theological meaning as fulfilled in Christ (in vv10-18).

Jesus shared fully in our humanity and experienced death for all believers

so that we can share in His glorious victory over death and the devil.

This is where we pick up our text this morning.

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 source 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.” ()

I’ve entitled this message: How the devil’s work gets destroyed by Christmas.

14 "Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these,

This passage expands further the theme of Christ the man.

however, it begins to elaborate a subject briefly touched upon in 1:3 and 2:3 and which preoccupies the Writer increasingly throughout the epistle—the Savior’s work of deliverance. By coming as a man to lost mankind, the Lord of glory has delivered his people from Satan, death, fear, bondage, sin and temptation. In doing so, he brings God’s chosen ‘sons’ to glory.

In doing so, however, it begins to elaborate a subject briefly touched upon in 1:3 and 2:3

and which preoccupies the Writer increasingly throughout the epistle—

the Savior’s work of deliverance.

Satan,

death,

fear,

bondage,

sin and

temptation

In doing so, He brings God’s chosen ‘sons’ to glory.

God is at work in Christ to restore humans to the “glory” He intended for them at creation ().

Jesus was made “perfect” by the pathway of

weakness,

suffering, and

death

Moo, D. J. (2015). The Letters and Revelation. In D. A. Carson (Ed.), NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (p. 2497). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

that God called Him to follow in accomplishing our salvation (5:8–9; 7:28; 10:14).

Jesus went first on the path of suffering, and

He guides us as our captain to the glory that He achieved.

The sons who are being brought to glory are said to be ‘sanctified’ by Christ.

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,” ()

A general description of Jesus’ sanctifying work (cf. 10:10, 14; 13:12)

that captures Jesus’s full identification with humans to provide redemption.

Those who benefit and the One who provides the benefit are “of the same family” (or “of one”), referring to our shared humanity with Jesus.

This family relationship is essential to His compassionate, priestly ministry.

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.” ()

Because of who Jesus is (fully divine and fully human),

He is able to provide the ultimate sacrifice for sin,

following the pattern of the OT priestly order but surpassing and fulfilling it.

Two further OT quotes from

13 "Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.” ()

These references speak of the Messiah, who will be revealed in due time along with those he has redeemed.

These elect children are the objects of God’s saving grace, who have not

simply been forgiven their sins and

delivered from his wrath.

They have been incorporated into the family of God.

The Father is their Father. Christ is their brother.

They themselves are ‘members one of another’ () and of the body of Christ ().

A changeless intimacy has been established between the elect and the eternal God

—an intimacy that is manifested in the true church on earth but will only be worked out in its fulness in glory.

Now, after we’re a bit more familiar with the chapter I want us to focus in on:

Then we come to our text.

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.” ()

How the devil’s work gets destroyed by Christmas.

Let’s see first of all

THE SIGNIFICANT ACTION OF CHRIST.

14 "Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these...” ()

Jesus wouldn’t have been able to die unless He became a human.

Since the children whom God has given to Christ share a common humanity, it was necessary for the Son to assume the same human nature.

It was only through His incarnation and death could the Son effect God’s ultimate purpose for these members of His family.

In this passage we see the kindness of God in His purpose for your life:

a purpose that is described in terms of their being glorified (v. 10), “For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory...”

sanctified (v. 11), “those who are sanctified...”

liberated (v. 15) “to free those who were held in slavery” and

purified from sins (v. 17). For Christ “to make atonement for the sins of the people.”

The terms in v14 “flesh and blood” point to the weakness and frailty of mankind.

Christ shared in this with us. But there’s one difference:

We all share in these points of weakness and frailty. This is our original and natural state.

Our Lord existed before His incarnation (He existed before the original Christmas) but it says that partook of the same.

He began to share fully the nature of those whom He thus chose to redeem.

This is the SIGNIFICANT ACTION OF CHRIST.

Then we have THE SUPREME ACCOMPLISHMENT OF CHRIST.

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—” ()

It was only by becoming man that Christ could die.

Andrews, E. (2003). A Glorious High Throne: Hebrews Simply Explained (p. 92). Darlington, England: Evangelical Press.

And only by dying could he

engage the devil in mortal conflict,

invade the citadel of darkness, and

lead ‘captivity captive’ ().

Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of Hebrews (Vol. 15, p. 75). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

God the Father desired that Jesus be born of the Virgin Mary,

ordained that he should suffer and die, and

set him free from the bondage of death by raising him from the dead

23 "Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 24 "God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death.” ()

Thus God expressed His love toward His people by delivering His own Son to die a shameful death.

And the Son willingly suffered and died in humiliation on behalf of His brothers and sisters, the members of the household of God.

Look at v14 again, “... so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—” ()

The one holding the power of death, that is, the devil.

Satan desired the destruction of God’s creation in general and man in particular.

After the fall Satan had the power of death over Adam and his descendants and used death as a weapon against us.

He had the privilege of coming before God in heaven to accuse the believers (see ), and

stood ready to execute the verdict pronounced upon the guilty

and to destroy man, who was condemned to death.

He, the murderer from the beginning (), desired man’s death in the fullest sense of the word:

physical death and

spiritual death (separation from God).

He wanted to serve as the angel of death by wielding the power of death.

However,GOD, not Satan, pronounced the curse of death on the human race when Adam and Eve fell into sin.

And Satan, who is an angel created by God, is a servant of God.

Without permission from God, Satan is unable to do anything.

Jesus, the Son of God, was present at creation, for through Him God made the universe ().

He alone would be able to destroy Satan, and He could do this by means of His death on the cross.

That is, Jesus defeated Satan by using the weapon of death.

Jesus paid the penalty of sin by giving his life and set us free from the curse of death.

And by paying this penalty for us, Jesus took the weapon of death out of Satan’s hands.

Jesus took away the fear of death.

Of course, all men die, including believers, so that Satan still appears to rule supreme.

However, the curse of God no longer rests upon the family of God, for Jesus removed it.

All those who are His people no longer fear death, for they are free from the bondage of death.

We know that nothing, not even death, can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” ().

By contrast, all those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior face eternal death and thus are eternally held in slavery.

Only Jesus sets man free from this slavery.

Since the death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross, death has lost its power and its effect.

Through death the Christian enters not hell but heaven.

And because Jesus’ human body was resurrected, the believer’s body also shall come forth from the grave in the last day.

The believer knows the words of Jesus: "and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” ()

So He destroyed the devils work. Look at what else Christ SUPREMELY ACCOMPLISHED.

Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of Hebrews (Vol. 15, pp. 75–76). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Because of what Christ accomplished in His death and resurrection we now have a

merciful and faithful high priest and now He can help those who are tempted!

See in v16 that He reaches out to help the true believer.

Not angels, nor men in general, but Abraham’s offspring.

Is that a group of people in the middle east? Who are Abraham’s offspring?

Two verses will clear it up:

7 "You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons.” ()

"You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons.” ()

"And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.” ()

So He reaches out to true believer’s and functions as their high priest.

What are these functions? We are told briefly but succinctly.

Firstly, as a merciful High Priest, He exercises mercy towards them.

As rebels and sinners, they no more deserve God’s favor than the generality of men.

But God has been gracious to them, showing them the mercy they need rather than the justice they deserve:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” ()

Notice how Paul identifies God’s mercy as running inline with His love in fulfilling His purposes of grace.

Secondly, our High Priest is faithful to His calling.

Thirdly, and fundamentally, He makes ‘atonement [propitiation] for the sins of the people’.

Thirdly, and fundamentally, he makes ‘propitiation for the sins of the people’. Under the Mosaic covenant, it was the high priest’s special responsibility to enter the inner sanctuary once each year on the Day of Atonement. He carried with him the blood of the sacrifices, a bull and a goat, to atone for his own sins and the sins of the people respectively (9:7; ). So Christ makes ‘propitiation’ (reconciliation, appeasement, atonement) for the sins of his people. The difference is that Christ offers, not the blood of bulls or goats, but his own blood—a sacrifice of infinite value, as we shall see.

Under the Mosaic covenant, it was the high priest’s special responsibility to enter the inner sanctuary once each year on the Day of Atonement.

He carried with him the blood of the sacrifices, a bull and a goat, to atone for his own sins and the sins of the people respectively (9:7; ).

So Christ makes ‘atonement’

reconciliation,

Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of Hebrews (Vol. 15, p. 75). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House..

appeasement,

propitiation

for the sins of His people.

The difference is that Christ offers, not the blood of bulls or goats, but

A Glorious High Throne: Hebrews Simply Explained Christ the High Priest (2:16–18)

What are these functions? We are told briefly but succinctly. Firstly, as a merciful High Priest, he exercises mercy towards them. As rebels and sinners, they no more deserve God’s favour than the generality of men. But God has been gracious to them, showing them the mercy they need rather than the justice they deserve: ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ’ (Eph. 2:4–5, emphasis added). Notice how Paul identifies God’s mercy as a concomitant of his love in fulfilling his purposes of grace.

Secondly, our High Priest is faithful to his calling. This concept is worked out in detail in the passage that follows (3:1–6) and we shall defer discussion till then. Thirdly, and fundamentally, he makes ‘propitiation for the sins of the people’. Under the Mosaic covenant, it was the high priest’s special responsibility to enter the inner sanctuary once each year on the Day of Atonement. He carried with him the blood of the sacrifices, a bull and a goat, to atone for his own sins and the sins of the people respectively (9:7; Lev. 16). So Christ makes ‘propitiation’ (reconciliation, appeasement, atonement) for the sins of his people. The difference is that Christ offers, not the blood of bulls or goats, but his own blood—a sacrifice of infinite value, as we shall see.

Fourthly and finally, the high priest offers succour to those who look to him in their trouble. ‘In that he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to aid those who are tempted’ (2:18). ‘Temptation’ here is to be understood as ‘testing’ and includes not only temptation to sin but also any kind of trial experienced by mankind. Because he was truly man, Jesus is able to empathise with us in our trials, whatever their nature. Divine comfort is always available to those who come to him in faith, bringing their needs and burdens. ‘Come to me’, he said, ‘all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matt. 11:28).

His own blood—a sacrifice of infinite value.

Fourthly and finally, the high priest offers help to those who look to Him in their trouble.

"For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” ()

‘Temptation’ here is to be understood as ‘testing’ and includes

not only temptation to sin but also

any kind of trial experienced by mankind.

Because He was truly man, Jesus is able to empathize with us in our trials, whatever their nature.

Jesus enters into your world of grief in a way that no one else can.

Randolph, P. (2005). Grief: It’s Not About a Process; It’s About The Person. The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Number 1, Winter 2005, 23, 19.

As God, He knows every thing there is about you.

As a man, He experienced every temptation we face.

He was made like you “in every way” ().

He also was tempted in what He suffered.

He has an unequalled ability to sympathize with us in all of the trials, sorrows, and losses of life.

Divine comfort is always available to those who come to Him in faith, bringing their needs and burdens.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ()

in sacrifice and petitions, and

The Purpose of the Priest

The first priest in the Bible appears in : Melchizedek, whom we later learn is a foreshadowing of Christ ().

As we read in , “For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.”

Through the other books of Moses we read of the high priest,

a man specially selected to represent other men before God

For example, we read in : “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of His 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.”

in sacrifice and petitions, and

God before men in blessings.

In fulfillment of the Old Testament promises, the Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect and final high priest.

The book of Hebrews uses this theme to encourage believers to persevere in the faith.

We noticed the identification of this high priest with His people:

He was “made like His brethren in all things.”

Verse 14 of this chapter tells us that He took upon Himself flesh and blood—

that is, not merely a body, but full human nature.

The practical result is that He can help those who are tempted.

echoes this same identification theme: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 "Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” ()

Christ, the Final High Priest, Feels What His People Feel

This great priest is both fully divine—He is called the “Son of God”—and fully human.

He feels the weaknesses of human nature.

He thirsts under a hot sun.

Through famished eyes He looks at stones but is able to taste hot, delicious bread.

He knows the longings of being a stranger far away from home.

He experiences more fully than we do the power of temptation, resisting it completely, without hesitation.

He feels the force of that cold winter in His face; tempted in all ways as we are, He remains without sin.

Perhaps the key idea here in Christ’s priestly ministry is that He is involved with His people.

He has become one of us.

Involvement is an essential part of His sacrificial work.

He has once offered up … Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God.

He could do so because this Sinless and Holy One has become one of us; He has taken on human nature forever.

Christ now makes continual intercession for us.

He has not stopped being a priest.

When Jesus was on earth, His intercession took the form of verbal prayers.

But now that He is in heaven, His intercession consists of presenting Himself on our behalf.

By this Person in heaven, we now have every spiritual blessing in Christ in the heavenlies.

Christ remains a High Priest forever, always involved, always identifying with His people.

A story I once heard illustrates the way Christ intercedes for us.

There was once a soldier in the Union army, who lost his older brother and father in the war.

He went to Washington, D.C., to see President Abraham Lincoln to ask for an exemption from military service.

He wanted to go back and help his sister and mother with the spring planting on the farm.

He went up to the doors of the White House and asked to see the President.

He was told, “You can’t see the President! Don’t you know there’s a war on? The President is a very busy man. Now go away, son! Get back out there and fight the Rebs like you’re supposed to!”

He left very disheartened and sat on a park bench not far from the White House.

A little boy came up to him and said, “Soldier, you look unhappy. What’s wrong?”

The soldier looked at this child and began to spill out his heart

about his father and brother having died in the war, and

how he was the only male left in the family and

was needed desperately back at the farm for the spring planting.

The little boy took the soldier by the hand and led him around to the back of the White House.

They went through the back door,

past the guards and the generals and

high-ranking government officials

until they got to the President’s office itself.

The boy didn’t even knock on the door, but just opened it and walked in.

There was President Lincoln with his secretary of state, looking over battle plans on the desk.

President Lincoln looked up and said, “What can I do for you, Todd?”

Todd said, “Daddy, this soldier needs to talk to you.”

And right then and there the soldier had a chance to plead his case to President Lincoln,

who then exempted him from military service due to his hardship.

Through our own Intercessor, Jesus, we have such access to the Father.

The Son brings us to His Father’s throne and says, “Daddy, here is someone who needs to talk to you.”

When you grieve, dear believer, you can expect more than

mere acceptance of an uncertain fate for my loved one

and a life of pain for your loss.

You can go to Christ with confidence and know that you will receive His mercy.

The Journal of Biblical Counseling: Volume 23, Number 1, Winter 2005 4. Seek out God’s People

When I grieve, I can expect more than mere acceptance of an uncertain fate for my loved one and a life of pain for my loss. I can go to Christ with confidence and know that I will receive His mercy. His grace will help me in my distress because He has been where I am. I can find something more than arbitrary and impersonal stages in grieving, I find my creator who personally responds to my loss.

His grace will help you in your distress because He has been where you are.

You can find something more than cookie cutter and impersonal stages in grieving,

Bobick, M. W. (2001). The Difference Christ Makes in a Crisis. The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Number 2, Winter 2001, 19, 15–16.

you find my creator who personally responds to my loss.

THE STAGGERING ADJUSTMENT BY CHRIST.

By coming as a man to lost mankind, the Lord of glory has delivered His people from

Satan,

death,

fear,

bondage,

sin and

temptation

In doing so, He brings God’s chosen ‘sons’ to glory (v10).

God is at work in Christ to restore humans to the “glory” He intended for them at creation ().

Jesus was made “perfect” by the pathway of

weakness,

suffering, and

death

that God called Him to follow in accomplishing our salvation (5:8–9; 7:28; 10:14).

Jesus went first on the path of suffering, and

He guides us as our captain to the glory that He achieved.

The sons who are being brought to glory are said to be ‘sanctified’ by Christ.

A general description of Jesus’ sanctifying work (cf. 10:10, 14; 13:12)

that captures Jesus’s full identification with humans to provide redemption.

Those who benefit and the One who provides the benefit are “of the same family” (or “of one”), referring to our shared humanity with Jesus.

This family relationship is essential to His compassionate, priestly ministry.

Liberated: 15 "and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.” ()

Because of who Jesus is (fully divine and fully human),

He is able to provide the ultimate sacrifice for sin,

following the pattern of the OT priestly order but surpassing and fulfilling it.

Purified from Sins:"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.” ()

Yes Christmas smashes satan’s kingdom.

The SIGNIFICANT ACTION OF CHRIST.

Then we have THE SUPREME ACCOMPLISHMENT OF CHRIST. Of breaking satan’s back and becoming a faithful High Priest who sympathizes with us in our sins.

Then finally we have THE STAGGERING ADJUSTMENT BY CHRIST.

He glorifies us.

He sanctifies us.

He liberates us.

And He Purifies us.

All because the SIGNIFICANT ACTION OF CHRIST AND THE SUPREME ACCOMPLISHMENT OF CHRIST.

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