Tag: power of death
Our merciful and faithful Priest
Scripture reading for August 9th: Hebrews 2
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 2:14-17 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham. 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.”
Mankind is flesh and blood, created in the image of God. Because of this, Jesus Christ came to earth and took on flesh and blood to fully identify with mankind, yet without their sin nature. He did this that He might suffer and die for our sins and lift the curse of sin and death from all who would believe in Him. He was made like the offspring of Abraham and fully identified with them, suffering temptation but remaining in obedient love of His Father and serving Him in the process of offering His body and blood as propitiation for the sins of His people. Those under the fear of death because of sin found deliverance and the one holding them in fear, the devil, was destroyed by the obedient sacrifice of the Son. Hallelujah! We are set free by the merciful and faithful Priest, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Hebrews 2:18 “For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, Your amazing Son and His faithful and obedient love for You and for us brings me to my knees! What love is this? Greater love has no man than that he give his life for his friends! I am thankful that Jesus Christ understands my weakness and temptations and is able to come to my aid today! He is worthy of all worship and honor and praise!
Psalm 22:22-23 “I will tell of Your Name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You: You who fear the Lord, praise Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you offspring of Israel.” (Hebrews 2:12)
Jesus: Made like His brothers!
Scripture reading for October 15th: Hebrews 2
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:1-3) Because Jesus is far superior to the angels and His message is final, we must pay closer attention to it. Drift is never towards God or Christ! Ignorance will not be an excuse for those who have heard the Word of Christ Jesus. God confirmed this Word with signs, wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We must hold fast to Christ, not allow anything to distract us along the way!
Jesus is now exalted to God’s right hand and crowned with honor and glory because of His willing suffering of death for the sins of men. He willingly tasted death in order to bring many other sons to glory. “Since children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil– and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:14-17)
Jesus shared our humanity in order to identify with our plight and and come to our aid when we are tempted. He is now the faithful High Priest who covered our sins and comes to our aid when we are tempted. We must listen to Him!