Christ the True and Better - Hebrews 2:10-18

READ: Hebrews 2:5-9

“For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

Christ’s sufferings completed and fulfilled the Great Salvation to bring many Sons to Glory. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Hebrews 2:10 -  “For it was fitting (prepo - to stand out, to be eminent, it is fit or right) that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the Founder of their salvation perfect (tel i ah o - bring to an end, complete, finish, fulfill) through suffering.”

Christ has sanctified, justified, and made us acceptable to and for Him. If Christ is not ashamed of you, why should you be ashamed of Him, especially for all He has done for you?

Hebrews 2:11-13 - “For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have One source. That is why (i tia - cause or reason, one worthy of punishment) He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 

12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

Through Christ’s death and suffering, we are set free from lifelong slavery and penalty of sin, death. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. - John 8:36

Hebrews 2:14-15 - “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy (ka tar gay o - put an end to, cease, do away with) the one who has (echo - to hold, possess, cling)  the power of death, that is, the devil (accuser, slanderer, calumniator), 15 and deliver (apallasso - remove, release, depart, set free, deliver) all those who through fear of death were subject (enochos - bound, under obligation, subject, liable) to lifelong slavery.”

Since therefore we share in being human, flesh and blood, Christ had become a partaker of the same things, born in the likeness of man. He experienced the struggles and pains of being human but He did not sin. He, through death, put an end and did away with that which possesses us, the power of death, that which accuses, slanders, and personally attacks us, the enemy called sin. He delivers all who fear death to which we were lifelong slaves. 

Christ the True and Better Adam was for us what the first Adam could not be, our gracious and faithful High Priest and King. Those who belong to the family of faith through Christ’s work on the cross have what no other faith ever has: a God who understands His people in every way and is our ever-present help.

Hebrews 2:16-18 - For surely it is not angels that he helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham. (Who are the offspring of Abraham? Galatians 3:6-7) 17 Therefore He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation (hilaskomai - to appease, overcome the hostility of, win over, atone for, make amends) for the sins of the people. (people of faith) 18 For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Galatians 3:6-7 - “just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.”