Hebrews 2.5-18 - Capitol Commission
Read the Directions!
19 March 2013
RON J. BIGALKE, PASTOR/MISSIONARY, CAPITOL COMMISSION, 912.659.4212
Bible Study Title
Ron J. Bigalke , PhD / PO Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326‐0244 / www.capitolcom.org / [email protected]
CAPITOL BIBLE STUDY 152 nd General Assembly ( twice every Tuesday )
• TUESDAY @ 7:30 AM in 123 CAP • TUESDAY @ 12 NOON in 123 CAP Capitol Commission Bible Study is
Tuesday, 19 March 2013 Hebrews 2:5-18 – “Read the Directions!” Many a time, someone has attempted to assemble something and muttered the words, “I suppose that I need to read the directions?!” Many a time, projects are all but completed and look good, and then someone remarks, “What’s the purpose of this little piece?” Of course, the entire projects then needs to be disassembled to insert that little piece. The manufacturer certainly knew that the instructions were necessary for the project, and thus will often include a warning to read the directions prior to attempting things one’s own way. Why is it that most people do not read the directions, the legal document papers, the owner’s manual, or most anything explanatory? The primary purpose of those types of things is to familiarize one with the manufacturers intended use of their product and how to fix it should anything ever go wrong. Good sense certainly assumes that one will desire to achieve the most from the manufacturers intended purpose and use of their creation. However, in reality, human nature is such that we are typically content only with learning or reading enough to satisfy the immediate need that has presented itself to us. Consequently, many things that we do may be limited in the capacity to accomplish things of enduring value. If were are to realize the abundant life that has been given to those who have a relationship with God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, by the One who has created us, certainly it would be wise to learn all that is possible to know regarding the Creator. Moreover, such an abundant life as the Creator intended would be realized by “rightly dividing” God’s life-giving Word so the eternal truths would fill our hearts and minds so that we could be prepared to live the life that the Creator-Redeemer intended. Religious pluralism suggests that there are many paths to and expressions of truth regarding God, and thus there are several equally
valid means to heaven. Such thinking is evident, when someone remarks, “Let everyone worship their own god” or “Sincerity is all that matters.” A more religiously minded individual may advise, “Obey the Ten Commandments.” Someone who believes in the power of personal potential would encourage belief in the “god inside you.” Hebrews 2 reveals instructions from God that you and I must hear and heed. The directions are from the Creator and Redeemer of the world. Essentially, the revelation of Hebrews 2 instructs all to listen to the Lord Jesus Christ. If we attempt to enter heaven in our way, we will certainly encounter devastating consequences. If we try our own way, we will be found neglecting “so great a salvation.” Furthermore, we will not receive the benefits of the atoning death of Jesus Christ, nor will we have the help of a sympathetic encourager. If we heed God’s way of approaching Him by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we will receive a great salvation. We will escape the pangs of eternal death, and experience the faithfulness and mercy of the Lord in our lives.
PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE THERE ARE BENEFITS (Heb 2:5-9) For the first time in the book of Hebrews, the name of Jesus is given (see v. 9). When the book of Hebrews was written, Jesus was known as a human being that lived and then endured a disgraceful death. Consequently, some may think wrongly that Jesus was not superior to any other human being, and certainly not in comparison to the angels. Some may think that the human nature of Jesus meant that He was inferior to the angelic hosts. Hebrews 2:5 demonstrates that Jesus is superior to the angels despite His true human nature. Hebrews 2:5 recalls the statement in 1:8, in which the Son is described as having rulership over an eternal kingdom, and anticipates the testimony in 2:8, in which it is revealed that God has “put all things in subjection under His feet.” The contrast is between angels, who are servants of God and minster to God’s people (Heb 1:7, 14), with Jesus, who possesses sovereign authority over the new heaven and the new earth (Matt 28:18; Eph 1:21). God has granted administrative responsibilities to angels in the present age (cf. Dan 10:20-21); however, Jesus is superior to the angels because He rules over “the world to come.” Jesus has given a taste of “the powers of the age to come” (Heb 6:5), which means He has not completed that age. The time is coming when the Lord Jesus will bring His people into complete enjoyment of the final blessings of salvation (Heb 9:28). Even now in the present age, the Lord Jesus is God’s herald with a message of salvation. The message is revealed to us in the Bible, and the degree to which we pay
Capitol Commission Bible Studies Tuesday (19 March) @ 7:30am – 8:00am, 123 CAP Tuesday (19 March) @ 12 Noon – 12:45pm, 123 CAP lunch provided from Cheddar’s Casual Café sponsorship
Georgia Read the Directions! to that testimony will be the difference between eternal attention misery and eternal blessedness.
God made “the author” of salvation perfect “through sufferings.” Of course, Jesus was already “perfect” in a moral sense, thus, the perfection refers to qualifying Him as “a merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb 2:17). Jesus sanctifies (makes holy) His people by his once-for-all sacrifice on the cross (Heb 9:12; 10:10, 14; 13:12). Sanctification is both a completed past event, in which believers are set apart (sanctified) for God’s purposes, and it is also a continuing process of becoming more like Christ in our lives (Heb 10:14; cf. 2 Cor 3:18; 1 John 3:3). The past and progressive aspects of sanctification are inseparable (1 Cor 6:9-20; 1 Thess 4:3-4; Heb 12:14; 1 John 2:4-6, 29).
Hebrews 2:6-8 is a quotation from Psalm 8:4-6, in which the psalmist marveled at the fact that the Creator not only cares for all humanity, but also that He granted us authority over creation. The relevance of the quotation is that the Son of God fulfills the command, which God gave to Adam, to subdue the earth and to rule it (Gen 1:2628). As a consequence of death and sin, humanity is unable to experience complete dominion of the creation; therefore, the command is fulfilled completely through Jesus Christ, the second Adam (cf. 1 Cor 15:45). Christ has all authority (Heb 2:8; cf. 1:13), thus, He is superior to the angels, who do not possess such authority. WE CAN EXPERIENCE THE FULLNESS OF GOD FOR US IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JESUS CHRIST.
Although the Lord Jesus has been given “all authority in heaven and earth” (Matt 28:18), His rule is not yet completely evident. Jesus experienced a temporary humiliation (“for a little while lower than the angels,” Heb 2:9). Subsequent to His death, resurrection, and ascension, God the Father exalted Jesus to His right hand and “crowned him with glory and honor” while He subjects everything to the Lord Jesus. What humanity lost as a consequence of sin, the Lord Jesus regained. We can experience the fullness of God for us in the accomplishments of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph 3:20-21).
The quotation from Psalm 22 in Hebrews 2:12-13 recalls King David’s lamentation of his affliction from evil individuals and his prayers to the Lord for deliverance. David rejoiced that the Lord heard his prayer, and encouraged others to join him in praise. In the context of Hebrews, the quote has reference to the Lord’s resurrection (cf. Acts 2:24-28), and anticipates the “world to come” (Heb 2:5) when the Lord God will lead all the company of the saved in worship. The death of Jesus was not a defeat; it was triumph over death and sin (Heb 2:14). Sin always causes death (Rom 5:12), thus our sin (not His own) caused Jesus to die. Jesus triumphed over death and sin at the cross (Col 2:15), yet we live in an interim period wherein we do not witness the complete effects of His victory. Jesus destroyed our archenemy, and liberated His people from the “fear of death” (Heb 2:15). In the “world to come,” Jesus will destroy death entirely (1 Cor 15:54). Currently, the fear of death for believers is already gone.
Currently, “we do not yet see all things subject to him” (Heb 2:8), yet it is certain to occur. God is allowing death and sin to continue until the appointed time when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11). The day is coming when Christ’s glory and honor will be fully realized, and the certainty of that time provides hope to God’s people. The certainty of that day leads to the introduction of Jesus by name in Hebrews 2:9.
Jesus was not a mere angelic deliver; rather, He became a human being to help sinners (Heb 2:16). The sufferings of Jesus allow Him to be sympathetic and to demonstrate mercy. When the Lord made “propitiation for the sins of the people,” He accomplished all the symbols and types of the Old Testament sacrificial rituals (2:17).
First, the Lord Jesus became a human being. Secondly, the death of Jesus provides a marvelous demonstration of divine grace. God permitted His Son to endure suffering on behalf of those who have faith in Him (Heb 2:9-11). Thirdly, the effect of the suffering of Christ was that He would be “crowned with glory and honor.” Submitting one’s life to the Lord Jesus obviously results in marvelous benefits (in the sense of good effects and in promoting well-being).
The Lord Jesus has great ability to help His people (2:18). He is able to encourage those who trust in Him and to lead them in victory when experiencing temptation. God understands our temptations, and He knows exactly what we need, and He alone is able to comfort and strengthen so we can persevere (Heb 4:14-16; 12:3).
PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE THERE IS HELP
About Capitol Commission
Thank you for allowing Capitol Commission the honor to provide Bible studies to you. If you have any questions, please talk with us, or contact us by email or phone.
Capitol Commission state directors are pastors/missionaries who teach weekly verse-by-verse Bible studies for the entire Capitol community. State directors also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide biblical counsel. The mission of Capitol Commission is to reach Capitol communities for Christ—one person at a time, to disciple them, and to prepare them for a lifetime of ministry, wherever God chooses to place them. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Capitol Commission is supported by the generous gifts of businesses, churches, and individuals. Capitol Commission is not state-funded; rather, those with a heart for the Capitol community fund it. Please join us in this ministry!
(Heb 2:10-18) The death of Jesus was “fitting” (proper). Whereas the notion of a suffering Messiah was a horrible concept, the death of Jesus was “fitting” with the gracious purposes of God. Whatever the Lord ordains is “fitting,” and the death of Jesus is not an exception. The will and purpose of God was to bring many “to glory.” God desired to bring lost and struggling humanity to an inheritance (Rom 8:12-17) and to experience His glory (2 Cor 4:17). The death of Jesus accomplished this goal of that inheritance and glory. Bible study luncheon sponsored by:
Bible study copies made by:
N EXT CAPITOL COMMISSION BIBLE STUDIES: T UESDAY , 26 MARCH @7:30 AM in 123 CAP and again @ 12 N OON in 123 CAP
2 Corinthians 4:17 – For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.
