Hebrews 2 (6)

Introduction
The Word and Son of God had to become flesh to fulfill His mission of redeeming and saving God’s people. He Who is greater than angels condescended to become one with us, in our flesh, so that we in our flesh might become one with God. Jesus is Priest and Mediator on our behalf, and Sufferer with us in our sufferings. 

Meditate on Psalm 40.6-10.

Read Hebrews 2.16-18.

Think it through.
1. The writer refers to Jesus as the “seed of Abraham.” This is important covenant language. Why? The writer introduces this idea here, and he will return to develop it a bit later. We might say that God gave to Jesus the promises He made to Abraham, so that He might fulfill them (2 Cor. 1.20). What are those promises (cf. Gen. 12.1-3)? What makes them so “exceedingly great and precious” (2 Pet. 1.3, 4)? What is our relationship to those promises? One of the roles of the High Priest in Hebrew religion was to go, once a year, before the Lord, sacrifice in hand, to make atonement for the sins of the people. Jesus is the great and final High Priest (v. 17). What sacrifice did He present to God? The Greek word for “make propitiation” is from the root ἱλάσκομαι, and means “to forgive a debt”. What does it mean that Jesus has made “propitiation for the sins of the people”? Why is this “Good News” (Ps. 40.9)?

2.  How is the writer using the word sufferin verse 18? Narrowly, with respect only to Jesus’ passion? Or broadly, in terms of what Paul suggests in Philippians 2.5-11? What did Jesus’ “being tempted” have to do with His suffering? Is temptation a form of suffering? Is temptation sin? Explain. Why is Jesus able to “aid” us who are tempted? Of what does that aid consist? How do we gain access to that aid?

Meditate.
“The Only Begotten operated not through his own nature, for that would in no way have improved our state, or through the nature of angels; but he operated through ‘the seed of Abraham,’ as Scripture has it. For in this way and no other could the race, fallen into corruption, be restored to salvation.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

Therefore it isof faith that it might beaccording to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all… Romans 4.16

Father, help me to cherish Your exceedingly great and precious promises and to live toward them day by day, so that I…

Pray Psalm 8.
In prayer, recount the many ways that God’s Name is excellent in all the earth, in your life, and in your Personal Mission Field. Claim His promises to help you in serving Him today.

Psalm 8.1-9 (Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
O Savior, how majestic, Your Name in all the earth!
The heav’ns display Your glory, and tell Your wondrous worth! 
From babes and nursing infants, Lord, let Your strength increase, 
Till all Your foes surrender, and all their boasting cease. 

When I regard Your heavens, Your handiwork above, 
Ordained by Your good pleasure, according to Your love, 
Then what am I, O Savior, that You take thought of me? 
Or I should know Your favor and thus delivered be? 

Yet we in Your own image with glory have been crowned, 
To worship and to serve You throughout creation ‘round. 
These works that sing Your glory in our poor hands are placed, 
That we may rule before You to magnify Your grace. 

Let every beast and creature, in sky or sea or field, 
In our hands bring You glory as we Your favor wield. 
Let all things sing Your praises, let all declare Your worth! 
O Savior, how majestic, Your Name in all the earth!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.