Book of Hebrews
Chapter 2

Theme: Humanity of Christ.

After seeing the exaltation and reverence of the Lord Jesus Christ in chapter 1, we will see the humiliation of Christ Jesus in chapter 2. He became a man, and when He did, He became lower than the angels. He was created a Man in the womb of the Virgin Mary and took upon Himself our humanity (Lk.1:31; 2:21). Therefore, Jesus is the Revealer of God to us (Jn.10:30; 14:7), and He is also the representative of mankind (1Jn2:1). There are two things about Christ Jesus in the Book of Hebrews: #1. He reveals God to man; and #2. He represents mankind before God the Father.

We have a Representative in Heaven. It is SO good to have a Representative before Almighty God, One who represent us, because Scripture tells us that Satan, the accuser of the brethren, has access to God and accuses us before God day and night (Rev.12:10). Satan tells God some pretty bad things about us, and so I am thankful I have a Representative in Heaven, who is on my side. He is my Advocate (1 Jn.2:1). He is my Mediator (Heb.8:6; 9:15; 12:24). Thank You Jesus!

First we saw Christ higher than the angels (Heb.1:4,6), because He IS God. Now we will see Him become lower than the angels, because He was made in the likeness of man (Phil.2:7) and we see His humanity.

There are six danger signals in the Book of Hebrews. They are WARNINGS to the people of Israel (and us) that they fail not to enter into the full blessings which God has provided through Christ. These six danger signals can be likened to highway markers to warn the reader. These danger signals are as follows:

• Peril of drifting (Heb.2:1-4);
• Peril of doubting Heb.3:7-Heb.4:2);
• Peril of dull hearing (Heb.5:11-14);
• Peril of departing (Heb.6:1-20);
• Peril of despising (Heb.10:26-39);
• Peril of denying (Heb.12:15-29).

There are two places in which a believer in Jesus Christ can live. He can live in the desert and have a wilderness experience, or he can enter into the blessings of God by spiritually crossing the Jordan River. Consider Israel. God warned them at Kadesh (Num.14:26-35) that they would miss His full blessings if they failed to enter into the land. They refused to enter!

What does it mean to us today, to spiritually “cross the Jordan”? It means we have been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him in newness of life (Rom.6:3-4; Col.2:12). That is what is meant by a Christian crossing the Jordan. Joshua literally led the children of Israel across the Jordan (Josh.3:15-17), but it is Christ Jesus who SPIRITUALLY leads the ones who believe in Him across the Jordan into a newness of life (Eph.4:22-24; 5:8). Thank You Jesus!

The First Danger Signal
Peril of Paying NO Heed to God’s Word (Hebrews 2:1-4)

We all must realize that this is a WARNING for every child of God in our day as well. There is always a danger of distraction and utter neglect of God’s Word. BEWARE!!!

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (KJV)

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard . . . because this last revelation was far superior to the Old Testament dispensation and came from One who is superior to angels, we are to pay particular attention to the warning. The responsibility is now greater.
Lest at any time we should let them slip . . . let them slip is drift past them. It means neglect, and neglect in ANY area of life is sad, but spiritually, to hear the Gospel Message and do nothing about it, is extremely more tragic. What must I do to be lost to the pits of Hell? Nothing! Just keep on keeping on like the vast majority of the world today. Dear one, salvation is a wonderful word! It is found in the Book of Hebrews 6 times: (Heb.1:14; 2:3,10; 5:9; 6:9; 9:28). And salvation is found ONLY in the only begotten Son of God! (Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12).

Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; (KJV)

For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast . . . when the two angels came to Sodom with the announcement that Sodom was to be destroyed, Sodom was destroyed EXACTLY as they said it would be. Any time that an angel brought a message, you could depend on its being carried out, exactly as it was stated.
And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward . . . the angels had brought the law (Gal.3:19; Acts 7:53), and every precept of the law had a penalty connected to it; and EVERY breach of it was punished just as that penalty required; and that was done according to the strict justice of God, and the wrongness of sin. NONE escaped, they suffered the punishment due to the violation of the precept either in themselves, or in their surety; so steadfast and immovable was this law.

This question arises:

Hebrews 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (KJV)

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? . . . my dear friend, there is absolutely NO way of escape IF you neglect the salvation that Jesus offers! THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN IS JESUS! IF you deny Jesus. IF you reject Jesus, IF you neglect the salvation Jesus offers, there is only ONE alternative . . . HELL! Hell: (Isa.5:14; 14:9; 30:33; Ps.49:14; Pro.27:20; Eze.32:18-30; Hab.2:5; Mat.7:13; Rev.20 13-15). Hell fire: (Deut.32:22; Mat.5:22; Mk.9:43,45,47; Jam.3:6; Rev.20:14)
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (KJV)
Dear friend, the Gospel is called Great Salvation. It is in contrast to the law, which will condemn you, whereas the Gospel is a declaration of salvation by Christ Jesus. See Romans 3:21-31: http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_romans_ch.3.htm
Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord . . . the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, preached the Gospel, and He was extraordinarily qualified for it, for He spoke it as never man did (Jn.7:46). It was preached by John the Baptist and by all the apostles, and
Was confirmed unto us by them that heard him . . . the Gospel is firm, stable and TRUTH! Jesus as Man, could not be everywhere at once, and so that by the mouth of more witnesses it would be established, Jesus sent forth His apostles to preach the Gospel. They had heard it from Him, and they published it first to the Jews (Rom.1:16; 2:9-10), and then to the Gentiles.

Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (KJV)

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? . . . it seems that the writer of Hebrews is referring to the Day of Pentecost when the gifts of the Holy Spirit were exercised. The gifts, given by God, confirmed the message. To whom? To Israel.
The apostles healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, raised the dead, cast out devils, etc., all which the confirmed by the Gospel preached by them. A sign, wonder or miracle means an amazing work done before men, by the power of God, to confirm a divine Truth. My friend, God is the sole Author of miracles! Do not fall for these false ones today who supposedly perform miracles. BEWARE!!! These false one are NOT of God!

What marvelous Truths we have here in this first warning of danger. It is a dire warning about DRIFTING. Please do NOT take these great Truths of God for granted! There is great danger and peril when a person pays no attention to God’s Word.

The tendency today is to minimize God's righteous judgment on sin. It seems to be widely thought that, because our dispensation today is one of love and mercy, that there is less need to dread the results of sin. But the inspired writer of Hebrews argues in an opposing sense. Because this age today is one of love and tender mercy, therefore sins against its King are all the more deadly, and the penalties worse. In the old days NO transgression and absolutely NO disobedience, escaped its just payment of reward . . . and my friend, God has NOT changed! So, dear one, the Word spoken by the Son is even more steadfast and sure! If you insist on continued sin, God’s WRATH shall come down on you! BEWARE!!! "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses; of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God!" (Heb.10:28-29).
The danger to which we all are most exposed is that "Lest haply we drift away". BEWARE!!! The drift of the religious world, and the drift of old habits and associations; was the case of these Hebrew Christians. They were strongly headed back to Judaism, going back to the religious system from which they had just come out of. The drift of one's own evil nature, which always lures us away from God, to that which is worldly and sensuous. The drift of the pressure of temptation is always near! BEWARE!!!

Superiority of Christ to Angels in His Humanity (Hebrews 2:5-18)

The humanity of Jesus needs to be emphasized as well as His deity. He brought divinity down to Earth, and He took humanity back to Heaven.

Hebrews 2:5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (KJV)

For unto the angels . . . this confirms the statement in verses 2-3, that the new covenant was spoken by One higher than the mediators of the old covenant, meaning the angels.
Hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak . . . many think that the "world to come" is Heaven, but I think this verse is talking about the people of this earth. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (KJV) . . . In “all the world” is a similar example. Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (KJV) . . . “The ends of the world” is another example.

Here, as in Hebrews 1:6; the meaning is “inhabited earth,” there, the word properly relates to time, “age.” Is “the world to come” still future, or is it here looked at from the Old Testament point of view? The following verses (especially verse 9) make it clear that the period referred to is that which follows the exaltation of Christ. We cannot separate the present stage of Messiah’s Kingdom from the future one; but in the view of prophecy the two were blended. The thought of this Kingdom among men has been present from the first verses of the Letter.

Hebrews 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? (KJV)

But one in a certain place testified . . . meaning David, for he is the author of Psalm 8, out of which the following words are taken, even though his name is not mentioned by the writer, nor the particular place, or the Psalm pointed at, as in (Acts 13:33,35), yet this was not through ignorance, nor out of disrespect to David; but because the writer is writing to Jews, who were familiar with the Scriptures, and knew full well who said the words, and where they were. It is quite agreeable to their way of citing Scripture, of which there is another instance in Hebrews 7:17, and I think that this form is used only in this Letter to the Hebrews, with which they were well acquainted.
Saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? . . .
Verses 6-8 are a quote from Psalm 8:4-6. Who is man anyway? Man is just a small creature on one of the minor planets. Man is very small in God's universe. God could squash us all like a bug any time He wanted to!
But, this speaks of the son of man . . . andthe important thing is, that this “Man” is the Lord of Glory, the second Person of the Godhead, Who became Jesus, a Man. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? . . . The answer is, Jesus (GOD) became a Man. He left Heaven's glory, came down to this Earth. He did NOT become an angel. Jesus IS God, the Creator of the Universe, and it was He who created the angels! Creator, Jesus: (Jn.1:3,10; 1 Cor.8:6; Eph.3:9; Col.1:16; Heb.1:1-2,10; 3:3; Rev.3:14).
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? . . . what is man? Of himself, man is nothing. Man is not very much physically or mentally. Man is quite limited. Man, in God’s Eyes, and in reality, is a lost sinner, in dreadful condition. What is man that God was mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? God visited mankind because He wanted to communicate with us, and He wanted to save us because He saw our lost condition. SO, God sent His only begotten Son (Jn.3:16), as Man to help us, to tell us of God! (Jn.14:7).  

Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: (KJV)

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels . . . God made man lower than the angels at the time of creation. Psalm 8 makes it very clear that man was made lower than the angels. The One who was superior, higher than the angels, was willing to come down below angels. He became not an angel, but a Man!
Many believe that the One called the "angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament is Christ Jesus (that includes me). The Angel of the Lord wrestled with Jacob (Gen.32:24-25). That Angel of the Lord I believe was the pre-incarnate Christ Jesus.
We read in the New Testament that when Christ came to Earth He became lower than the angels. In Truth, Christ Jesus was FAR above the angels, but when He became a Man, He gave up His authority and power as God, and willingly became lower than the angels. He left the glory and safety of Heaven! WHY? Why did the Lord Jesus do that? He did it because of His great love for us, so that He could reveal God to us. And too, He is the Representative (Advocate, Mediator) of man (us) before God. He brought God to Earth and took our place on the cross for the penalty for OUR sins! If you and I want to get to Heaven, we MUST go through Christ Jesus. There is NO other way! NO matter you’re your religion says! BEWARE!!!
Thou crownest him with glory and honour . . . with that glory Jesus had with the Father before the world was (Jn.1:1), and which followed after His sufferings and death for us. It was through His sufferings and death, and after His resurrection, that He ascended on high, where He has the honor to sit at the right hand of God (Acts 5:31), which NONE of the angels have; and therefore Jesus is now above them. Although once, for a while as Man, Jesus was below the angels, BUT they are now subject to Him.
And didst set him over the works of thy hands . . . over angels, principalities, and powers; over the kings of the Earth, and all the inhabitants of it, and all things in it, and made Him higher than the Heavens, and gave Him a Name above every name!
God does not intend for Satan or any angel to ever rule, for He has created man to rule. BUT, man as we see him today is not capable of ruling anything. His demonstrations of this in all the capitals of the world prove this. Man cannot rule, but he thinks he can. Man has adopted Satan's view of things. Man tries to rule WITHOUT GOD. God COULD bless our nation today, as He blessed it in the past, IF men would recognize they needed God! BUT . . . until that happens, this world is in big trouble!

Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (KJV)

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet . . . good angels, men and devils, all things in Heaven, Earth and sea (1 Pet.3:22).  
For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him . . . there is NOT one person, NOT one thing that is NOT under the rule of Christ Jesus! His domination is universal. Whether they now will or will not, everyone and everything shall one day submit to Jesus! (Isa.45:23; Rom.14:11). BELIEVE IT!! It is fact, just as if it already happened!
But now we see not yet all things put under him . . . whose feet? Christ Jesus’ Feet, NOT man's. Although our Earth is not out of His control, He is not ruling today. When the Lord Jesus does rule this Earth, there will be NO need of a hospital or a jail, because there will be NO crime, NO sickness, NO poverty NO more food stamps. When Jesus rules this Earth it will be a millennial paradise (Rev.20:1-3). As the writer quotes Psalm 8, he makes it very clear that the psalmist spoke of Christ, and the prediction is not fulfilled up to the present moment.
A comment here that will not be well received: 2 Thes. 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (KJV) . . . If man will work, he may eat; if he does not work, neither should he eat. People today who are well able to work and expect the government to support them are lazy slobs and greedy sinners! In the Millennium, EVERYONE will work or they will NOT eat! 

The following is the very heart of this chapter . . .

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (KJV)

But we see Jesus . . . not with bodily eyes, but with the eyes of the mind, and understanding. He is Jesus, and it is He that is meant in the above words.
Who was made a little lower than the angels . . . in His state of humiliation (verse 7).
For the suffering of death . . . Jesus became lower than the angels, and through His suffering, death followed. In respect to this, He was lower than the angels, because angels do not die. This proved Him to be in a condition below them.  
Crowned with glory and honour . . . (Phil.2:8-9; Heb.2:7).
That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man . . . Jesus was made a little lower than the angels by becoming Man, and assuming a frail and mortal body. This had to be because God cannot die, He is eternal (Deut.33:27; 1 Tim.1:17), and Jesus as Man, did die on the cross for our sins! This signifies the truth and reality of His death, and the experience He had because of the bitterness of it, it being attended by the wrath of God (Rom.1:18), and curse of the law (Gal.3:13). Should taste death for every man means that He not only experienced the pangs of death, but He had the full experience of what death really is . . . the very depth of it. He drank of the cup of death (Mat.26:39). That bitter cup was pressed to His lips, and He drank every bit of it. He did this for you and me. He did this by the grace of God. Have you thanked Jesus for what He has done for you? May the grace of God be with us all in our Christian journey.

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (KJV)

For it became him, for whom are all things . . . this is not a complexity of Christ, who died, but of God the Father, who delivered Him to death; and who has the final say of all things, in nature, in grace, in all things being made for His pleasure and for His glory; for He is the reason of all things, as follows,  
And by whom are all things . . . all the works of Creation, providence, and grace,
In bringing many sons to glory . . . this does not mean worldly glory, but heavenly glory, which mankind do not deserve, and which was long ago prepared for them. The persons whom God, in His rich grace, brings salvation to, are "sons"; who are predestinated to the adoption of children (Eph.1:5,11) and are regenerated by the Spirit of God (Tit.3:5). They believe in Christ and are heirs of God (Heb.6:17; 11:7).  There are mansions of glory provided for them in their Father's house (Jn.14:2; 1 Pet.1:4). God the Father sent His Son to redeem them; He reveals His Son in them, He calls them to His eternal glory, and makes them fit for it (Rom.5:1), and gives them an abundant entrance into it (2 Pet.1:11), and
To make the captain of their salutation perfect through sufferings . . . Christ is "the Captain of salvation", and is so called, because He is the author and finisher of it (Heb.12:2); and he is the Prince and Master of these sons, who are committed to His charge, and are under His care. He has gone on before them to prepare their mansions of glory for them.

The author of Hebrews implies that Jesus, as the pre-incarnate Son of God, was certainly perfect (Heb.1:2-3). Jesus is greater than the prophets, heir of all things and maker of the universe. But in the Passage under consideration He is the author of the Christians salvation. The pre-incarnate Son of God was not yet perfect in relation to that role. In fact, He could not fulfill that role at all until He became incarnate and died for the sins of humanity. Perfection is an important concept in Hebrews (Heb.5:9,14; 6:1; 7:11,19,28; 9:9,11; 10:1.14; 11:40; 12:2,23). Perfection means "to bring to maturity, perfection or fulfillment." The fulfillment feature is the most important in Hebrews. The theme of the whole book is the fulfillment of the reality behind Mosaic ritual, but there is also a fulfillment coming to the lives of Christians as they go on to complete that to which they were called at their conversion.

The perfection of Christ referred to here is a functional perfection, not a moral perfection, for He was never anything less than sinless. It is an earned perfection that will show up in its other aspects three more times in Hebrews (Heb.2:18; 4:15; 5:7-9). Thus in talking about the perfecting of Christ, the author states the fact that it was only through Jesus’ death that the world could gain a Saviour. (Heb.5:7-9).

Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (KJV)

For both he that sanctifieth . . . not Himself, although this is said of Him (Jn.17:19), nor His Father, although this also is true of Him (Isa.8:13), but His people, the sons brought to glory, whose salvation He is the Captain of. They are sanctified in Him, He being made sanctification to them; and they have their holiness from Him. They are made holy by Him, both by His precious Blood (1 Pet.1:18-19), which atones for their sins, removing the guilt of them, and by His Spirit, working the internal principles of grace and holiness in them. ALL people are sinners (Rom.3:10,23), for by nature, they all are guilty and unclean.
And they who are sanctified . . . meaning the sons brought to glory. They are NOT naturally holy, they are made holy because of Jesus! All these sons are made holy; whom God adopts into His family, He regenerates them and sanctifies them, for this is absolutely necessary to their being brought to glory. Sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God in the heart of the redeemed. New man: (2 Cor.5:17; Eph.4:24; Col.3:10). Changed: (1 Cor.49-54).
All of one . . . of one family, spirit, nature. The meaning is, that they were united, partaking of something in common, so as to constitute a oneness, or a brotherhood. John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (KJV) . . . Because Christ is united with them, or has granted their redemption.
For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren . . . Jesus is not ashamed to say that He is of the same family (Christianity), and to speak of them as His brothers. He is not ashamed, as it might be expected of One that is so exalted, holy and pure would be. It might have been expected that the Son of God would refuse to give the name brethren to those who were so corrupted and sinful, these whom He came to redeem. But He IS willing to be placed with them, and to be regarded as one of their family. Thank You Jesus! None of us are worthy of Him!

Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (KJV)

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren . . . these words, with the following clause, are quoted from: Psalm 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. (KJV) . . . It applies to Christ (Mat.27:35,39,43,47). These are the words of Jesus addressed to His Father; whose Name He promises to declare to His brethren. Meaning not the Jews, in general, His brethren according to the flesh; but His disciples and followers, especially the twelve apostles, and the five hundred brethren to whom He appeared after His resurrection (1 Cor.15:6); and definitely all the saints and people of God may be included; His spiritual brethren. Jesus spoke out plainly, concealing NO part of the Gospel. As He had received it from His Father, He faithfully made it known to His people.
In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee . . . I think this means the church below, not of the synagogue of the Jews, but of the disciples of Christ. This He did at the institution of the supper (Lk.22:19-20), for although the number of the apostles was small, yet they made a congregation or church, and which was a pure and glorious one. With the Jews, ten men made a congregation.

Hebrews 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (KJV)

And again, I will put my trust in him . . . this verse reveals how the Holy Spirit interprets Scripture. Some fools today try to interpret the prophets, and eliminate any reference to Jesus. That is utterly ridiculous! The Holy Spirit here, interprets that reference in Isaiah 8:17-18 in such a way that it refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who tries to eliminate the Lord Jesus from the prophets, contradicts the interpretation that the Holy Spirit has given in the New Testament.
And again, behold I and the children which God hath given me . . . this is a quote from Isaiah 8:18, in which prophecy is a condemnation of God's judgments upon Israel, by the Assyrians, when God's own people among them are comforted with a Promise of the Messiah, who is described as the Lord of hosts; who is to be sanctified, and be as a refuge to the saints, and as a stone of stumbling to others (Isa.8:14; 1 Pet.2:8).

Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (KJV)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood . . . the children mean, not the children of this world, or the men of it; not the children of the flesh, or Abraham's natural seed; not visible ‘professors’ of religion; not just the apostles of Christ; but ALL the children of God, the children given to Christ (Jn.6:37; 10:29; 17:2,6,9,11). This means all the sons that are brought to glory: these "are partakers of flesh and blood" or the human nature, and which is subject to frailty and death.
He also himself took part of the same . . . this emphasizes the Lord Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus was a partaker of flesh and blood. Jesus came in a way the Jews were NOT expecting Him to come. BUT, they should have known, because the prophets had made clear the way He would come to Earth the first time. Many prophecies of Jesus as Man: (Gen.3:15; 12:3; 18:18; 7:19; 28:14; 49:10; Num.24:17; Isa.7:14; 9:7; 11:1-5; 2 Sam.7:13; Mic.5:2; Dan.9:25; Jer.31:15; Hos.11:1).
Because Jesus became Man, assuming a human nature like theirs; shows that He existed (Jn.1:1) before His incarnation (Jn.1:14). He did this, of Himself, and by His own voluntary act, assuming a human nature which joined together with His divine Person, which expresses His wondrous grace and humility. A saying: The Jews were looking for a King to slay their foes and lift them high; but instead He came a little baby, that made a woman cry.
That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death . . . Jesus came into this world by human birth just like you and I came into the world. JESUS is His human Name. (Mat.1:21). That through death he might destroy him . . . Christ Jesus not only came through birth . . . but He left through death. His birth did NOT save anyone! It is by His death that He saves us, NOT by His birth, NOT by His life. Only His death brought salvation to us! Only the DEATH of Jesus delivered us from spiritual and eternal death. For more about different deaths, see: http://www.hisservants.org/death_then_what_1.1.htm
The devil is said to have the power of death, not because he can kill and destroy men at his pleasure, but because he first introduced sin, which brought death into the world, and so he was a murderer from the beginning (Jn.8:44). And he has NOT let up since! He still continually tempts people to sin, and then accuses them of it (Rev.12:10) before God. But dear one, our Advocate is there for us! (1 Jn.2:1). He never leaves us, never forsakes us (Heb.13:5). Thank You Jesus! We have one within us that is far greater than the devil! 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV) . . . ALL God’s TRUE children have the Holy Spirit abiding within them, from the very first moment of salvation. And He is there forever! (Jn.14:16-17; 2 Jn.1:2). Thank You Jesus! Satan has NO chance whatsoever against Jesus! Do you have Jesus on your side? If not, why not? Following Satan means Hell. Following Jesus means Heaven! Your choice.

Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (KJV)

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage . . . the Law of God demanded and still does demand, death for sin. This means eternal death! That means eternity in Hell! The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Eze.18:4,20). The wages of sin is death (Rom.6:23). Satan was the reason for man's sin in the first place (Gen.3:1-7), and even though he is a instigator, he can rightly claim, that the sinner must die, for it was the person’s choice to sin or walk away from it! Satan had the authority to demand that every sinner should pay sin's penalty. And because all are sinners (Rom.3:10,23), men fear death and are subject to bondage, because of sin, for to give in to sin was to serve Satan. Let us all remember this truth. A Christian life is impossible without the assistance of Jesus! Let us remember this truth as well.

Hebrews 2:16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. (KJV)

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham . . . when angels are spoken of in this Book, it means good angels. In the Old Testament Christ did take on the nature of angels. He did that when He appeared as the Angel of the Lord, and these Hebrews understood that. But, when Christ left Heaven and came to Earth, He came past the angels and came to fallen mankind. He took on Himself the seed of Abraham (Gen.12:3; 18:18). He came in the line of Abraham. God began the preparation at the very beginning with Adam and Eve, for God said that there would come the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). God said He would come in the line of Abraham, and a little farther on we learn that He would be born in the tribe of Judah (Gen.49:10), of the family of David (Mat.9:27), of the nation Israel (Jn.1:11). He was to be born of a virgin (Isa.7:14; 11:1-2). The Lord God put up enough road markers so that everyone, not just wise men, but everyone, should have found their way to Bethlehem when Jesus was born, but they didn’t!

Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (KJV)

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren . . . the adopted sons of God, who were brethren BEFORE Christ's incarnation (Jn.1:14), were from all eternity predestinated to the adoption of children (Eph.1:4-5). Christ’s incarnation was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you (1 Pet.1:20). WHY was this?
That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God . . . Jesus could NOT be a high priest, offer sacrifice for sin and make intercession, UNLESS He was Man. Neither could He be a merciful and compassionate High Priest, Who would sympathize with His people in their sorrows, temptations and sufferings, UNLESS He was like them, and experienced life as they did. Nor would He be a faithful high priest (Isa.11:5), meaning a lawful, just and true One, because every high priest is taken from among men.
To make reconciliation for the sins of the people . . . to make atonement, to make expiation, to make amends with God for mankind. Christ made a mercy seat available for you and me to come to, because MERCY is what we all need! God has an abundant supply of mercy available to us, because Jesus is our mercy seat, and we can go there 24/7, and get all we need. God’s children are indeed very privileged! Christ made a mercy seat available for the sins of the people, and that is the ONLY place you can get God's mercy. Jesus is that Mercy Seat! Thank You Jesus!
Consider some privileges of God’s TRUE children, because of Jesus:

• Forgiveness (Col.1:12-14)
• Rest for your soul (Mat.11:28-30)
• Spiritual knowledge (Pro.1:7; 9:10)
• Eternal life (Jn.6:51; 10:9)
• Holy Spirit (Jn.14:16-17; 1 Cor.3:16; 12:13; Rom.8:9)
• Fellowship (Rev.3:20; Jn.17:3)
• Peace (Phil.4:7; Col.3:15)
• Needs supplied (Phil.4:19)
• Power (Col.1:11-12)
• Love (Eph.3:19; 1 Thes.3:12)
• Joy (Ps.16:11; Jn.15:11)
• Contentment (1 Tim.6:6,8; Heb.13:5) 
• Comfort (Mat.5:4; Jn.14:1; Rom.8:28; 1 Thes.4:13; 2 Thes.2:16)
• Patience, gentleness, goodness, faith (Gal.5:22)
• Meekness, self-control (Gal.2:23)

These are just the tip of the iceberg! God has multiple blessings in store for His children.
         
Hebrews 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (KJV)

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted . . . tempted is tested. The Lord Jesus was tested, not for just forty days (Mat.4:2; Mk.1:13; Acts 1:3), for those forty days was a special testing for Jesus alone . . . the Lord Jesus was tested the whole of His entire life. Satan just would NOT let up on Him!
Question: Could Jesus have given in to the temptation? Could He have fallen? I say the answer is a definite NO! When we think of being tempted to do something wrong, what we really mean is that we have the chance to do wrong, and we want to do it. The opportunity for us is the testing, but the desire to do wrong was sin, and a sinful desire is by itself sin. The Lord Jesus Christ NEVER had ANY sinful desire. He was NOT a sinner, although He certainly had the opportunity, over and over again! Knowing how hungry and weak He was from going without food for forty days, Satan tempting by saying: “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” The blessed Lord could have made stones into bread, but He did NOT! He had the opportunity to do it, and that is the test . . . but . . . He did NOT yield to it. He had no desire to yield to the test . . . and He could NOT desire to do so because of the very Fact that He was God. http://www.godcannotlie.org/is_jesus_god.htm
Jesus was tested to prove that He was Who He claimed to be. This is extremely important. Dear one, IF Jesus had given in to temptation and sinned, it would have proven that Jesus of Nazareth was NOT God in the flesh. Satan knew this, and knew that He WAS God in the flesh (Acts 1:14). But, because of WHO Jesus is, He cannot sin. And the writer of the Book of Hebrews adds that He was tested in all points like we are, yet was without sin (Heb. 4:15).
He is able to succour them that are tempted . . . succour means to come to the aid of, to help, to assist. Because Jesus suffered while being tempted, He is able to help others (us) who are tested. As we move along in this Book, we will see the priesthood of God. We will see that the Lord Jesus Christ is able to help those who are tested. I hope the Book of Hebrews will make all of us aware that we have a GREAT High Priest, and He is the only One we need! He is alive at this very moment. He is at God's right hand, and He is available to us 24/7. My High Priest is up there. He knows me, He understands me, and I can take my burden to Him. When death comes, when you and I go down into the valley of the shadow of death (Ps.23:3), we have a great High Priest up there who will help us. No matter what happens, no matter what the test, He is always well able to help us. Far too few of us use His services as we should. We forget about Him and try to fight our battles alone, which is utterly foolish! My friend, He is available. He wants us to come to Him. Jesus will NEVER leave or forsake God’s TRUE children! (Heb.13:5).

Book of Hebrews

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