Hebrews 2:5–3:6 (NKJV)
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have 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 do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. 1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Our lesson today explains how Christ, being both God and man, fulfilled the purposes of God: “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 for the sins of the people.” So, by becoming a man, Jesus both identified with humanity and then delivered humanity. Jesus Christ has delivered us from the grip of sin, Satan, and death—He has delivered us from them all!
Today in our lesson, the writer to the Hebrews explains how the very Son of God came that we might become the very children of God. Christ did that by giving Himself for us upon the cross. As St. Paul writes in his first letter to Timothy, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men” (2:5-6). It cost Christ dearly to save and deliver us humans from our sin. And He did so out of love. St. John, in his first letter, says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him” (4:9).
This lesson today calls us to listen to all the ways that God is speaking to us through His Word. In one verse after another, we are reminded of all the things that God has given us in Christ, including our final glory with Him.
Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, in Your tender love towards humanity You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take on Himself our flesh and to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may follow the example of His patience and humility, and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
