Hebrews 2 (7)

Introduction
Having established the greatness and superiority of Jesus in chapter 1, the writer of Hebrews, in chapter 2, reminds his readers of their duty to work out their salvation by extending the rule of Jesus over all things. He offers encouragement by reminding them that Jesus, Who suffered for them, can help them in their times of suffering to remain faithful. Staying on task involves looking not to our suffering or the difficulty of our duty, but to Jesus, exalted through suffering to glory and rule.

Read Psalm 47.

Read and Meditate on Hebrews 2.

Think it through.
1.  In chapter 2, the writer fuses several important ideas into one teaching. How would you explain his connecting of salvation (vv. 3, 10),the world to come (v. 5), putting all things in subjection under our feet (vv. 7, 8), and crowned with glory and honor (vv. 7, 9)? How do these ideas, taken together, help us to understand our “so great” salvation? Just how great is the salvation we have received? 

2.  The writer, having exalted Jesus above the angels in chapter 1, now brings Him down amongst us mortals. Why? Why is the incarnation of Jesus so important (vv. 9, 10, 17, 18)? What was the effect of the work Jesus did during His incarnation on the spiritual condition of the world (vv. 14, 15)? Why is Jesus our “merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God” (v. 17)? How was our writer hoping this reminder of Jesus’ work would encourage his readers? Summarize the message of Hebrews 2.

Meditate.
“Now he is not ignorant of our sufferings, not only because as God he knows them, but also because as man he knows them through the trial with which he was tested. Since he suffered many things, he knows how to sympathize with suffering. It is certainly true that God is impassible, but the statement here is made of the incarnation, as though it were said, ‘The flesh of Christ itself suffered many fearful things.’ He knows what tribulation is. He knows what temptation is, not less than we who have suffered, for he himself also has suffered.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4.7-10

Lord, You intend to fill all things – the entire earth – with Your great salvation. And I have a role in this. Help me today to…

Pray Psalm 8.
Focus in your prayer on the aspects of our great salvation mentioned in this psalm, and ask the Lord to help you fulfill your duty in His Kingdom.

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).