June 27, 2023

Hebrews 2:1-18 (HCSB)
Warning against Neglect 2 We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.  2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding   and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment,  3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?  It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.  4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to His will. Jesus and Humanity 5 For He has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But one has somewhere 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.  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 of His suffering in death. 10 For in bringing many sons to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—all things exist for Him and through Him—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,  12 saying: I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; 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 in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service  to God, to make propitiation  for the sins of the people.  18 For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested.

Courtney Akers
In these passages it talks about Jesus coming to be lower than the angels -meaning He was fully flesh and fully God of the Most High. Jesus had to come in this form so that He could fully withstand the suffering God intended. This suffering was truly meant for us, sinners, but because Jesus came and fulfilled the promise of dying on the cross to save our sins, He took the ultimate fear and suffering (death) and set us, sinners, free. Free of fear and free of suffering (v 14). Meaning the devil no longer has a hold on us as believers because Jesus came and set us free. We are His because He is crowned with glory and honor, and everything is subjected under Him. EVERYTHING. That is powerful to me. Everything is under His power, and He has all the control and beautiful glory. I am so thankful that He is an understanding, loving, and sovereign God that has this control and not the devil. This allows me to be truly free in my life and I hope it can be in yours, too.