HEBREWS CHAPTER 2 5 18 Overview of Hebrews
HEBREWS CHAPTER 2: 5 -18
Overview of Hebrews Ø § The writer’s primary point? Be faithful to Christ- no matter what! § Key verse: Heb. 12: 1 -2 Ø The writer thoroughly focuses on the superiority of Christ above all § His superiority to the angels and Moses § His priesthood and ministry are superior to that of Levi § His sacrifice is superior to the animal sacrifices of the old law Ø What application should we draw when studying Hebrews? § Since Christ is superior, why leave Jesus and return to the inferior or to our previous manner of living? (Heb. 10: 39)
Review of Hebrews 1 Ø In times past, God spoke to the Jewish fathers through prophets, but now speaks to all mankind by Jesus Christ, His own son (Heb. 1: 1 -2) Ø His message should be obeyed because of His divine nature (Heb. 1: 2 -4) Ø Jesus Christ is superior to the angels (1: 4) • God’s Son (1: 5) • Angels worshipped Jesus (1: 6) • Angels ministered to Jesus and are servants of God (1: 7, 14) • Jesus is the Creator (1: 10) • Jesus rules on a throne and is eternal (1: 8, 13)
Review of Hebrews 2: 1 -4 Ø The message that Christ brings is greater than the message which the angels proclaimed (2: 1 -3) • No one was able to get away with disobedience to the message that angels brought • Certainly, no one will escape punishment if they neglect the message of Christ Ø What is His message? • Salvation (2: 3) • Leave the old law behind, put away sin, and live a faithful life to God through faith in Christ -no matter what! • Hebrews 12: 1 -2
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø If Jesus is superior to the angels and existed in the form of God, why would He become a man? Ø 2: 5 (A continuation of the thoughts expressed in 1: 4 -14) • One more reason Christ is superior to the angels. The world (age) to come will also be subject to Christ • Ephesians 1: 20 -22 Ø 2: 6 -8 § Quotes Psalm 8: 4 -6 Ø God originally put this world in subjection to Man • Genesis 1: 28
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø Man was unable to maintain dominion over all things as God had planned • Why? Gen. 3: 6, 16 -19 (sin) • Man’s free will and the devil’s wickedness brought on the consequences we face when we sin • Sin brought on pain, suffering, and death (physical and spiritual) Ø Once again, we see Christ’s superiority in His willingness to become flesh and die, in order to reconcile man to God (2: 9) • This was the only thing that could be done to give man the help we needed (Rom. 5: 6, 10)
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø Jesus in taking on flesh: • Became like man, lower than the angels (2: 9) • Endured suffering and physical death (Phil. 2: 5 -8) • Lived perfectly to pay the debt we all owed (Rom. 6: 23) Ø 2: 10 • In order for man to regain his glory, Christ had to endure sufferings to reconcile us • He became our leader and guide to salvation through His sufferings because He was the perfect and sinless sacrifice • Jesus became our mediator (1 Tim. 2: 5)
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø After sin, mans only hope of restoration was the death of God’s Son (2: 11 -16) Ø Jesus brought back the glory of man by reconciling him to God when He: • Became flesh and lived perfectly (2: 14 a) • Died and overcame death, thereby destroying the devil (2: 14 b) • 1 Cor. 15: 54 -57 • John 16: 33 • Provided forgiveness of sins through His death and released man from the bondage of sin (2: 15) • Rom. 5: 10 -11
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø Jesus is not ashamed to call those who choose to live a HOLY life, His brethren • Matt. 12: 48 -50 Ø Jesus and His saints descend from the same Father • 2 Cor. 6: 17 -18 Ø 2: 12 -13 show the intimate relationship between Christ and His disciples • Psalm 22: 22 and Isaiah 8: 17 -18 • Christ is joyful to count us as His own family (brethren, children) • 1 Peter 2: 9
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø Through death, He destroyed him that had the power of death and brings aid to the seed of Abraham (2: 14 -16) • God promised to bless Abraham’s seed (Gen. 12: 9) • Accomplished through Christ (Gal. 3: 29) Ø Through that blessing man received: Ø freedom from the bondage of Satan, that is sin (2: 14) • The devil still seeks to tempt and deceive man (1 Pet. 5: 8) • But is powerless over man (James 4: 7; Eph. 6: 11 -13) Ø Hope after physical death (2: 15) • Hebrews 9: 28 and John 3: 16
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø Christ became a man for our benefit (2: 17 -18) • Bottom line, we were lost and without hope otherwise Ø Christ became flesh so that He could bring man back to God Ø He became a merciful and faithful high priest (2: 17) • The essence of the message of this letter • His priesthood is far superior than the Levitical priesthood • This point will continue and fully develop throughout the book of Hebrews
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø Under the old law, a high priest was consecrated to offer up a sacrifice for his sins and all the sins of the people (Lev. 16) Ø Christ became our high priest AND the sacrifice for our sin because of his sinless life (2: 17) Ø He displayed mercy and faithfulness in doing so Ø Mercy towards mankind (Heb. 5: 8 -9) • Reconciliation to God and eternal life • He paid the just penalty of sin we couldn’t repay Ø Faithfulness to God • Obedience through His death and executing God’s eternal plan (John 17: 4)
Hebrews 2: 5 -18 Ø Christ endured suffering and temptation just like us (2: 18) Ø Therefore, He can provide the appropriate aid we need • He understands our pains and troubles • He provides help with our weaknesses and temptations • Hebrews 4: 15 -16 • 1 Corinthians 10: 13 Ø Because Christ shared deity and became flesh, He stands as the perfect mediator between God and man • Christ restored unity • This is the reason Christ lowered Himself below the angels
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