Hebrews 2 — Warning to Pay Attention, Jesus Made Fully Human
Thoughts about serving others
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
In this chapter, filled with references to the Old Testament, we see two main thoughts: 1) a warning to pay attention and 2) Jesus was fully human by design.
1. Pay Attention. If there’s anything I’ve learned through this year’s daily study of God’s Word is this lesson: we must get serious about our time of study and devotion to God, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). We have heard the words of salvation and are convicted to share this gospel to all, we cannot hide, we must not hide. Lord help us to Pay Attention!! Keep us on the path you have deemed worthy and help us to share the great news of salvation to all through words and deeds, through kindness and generosity, by being doers of the word, not just those that hear and obey.
2. Jesus was Fully Human. This is a stumbling block for many, but scripture is clear, “For surely it is not angels [God] helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way…because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (cf 2:16-18). The Bible is full of examples of how God helps people, how he has been at work in the lives of his chosen ones, even when they are blatantly disobedient. The Old Testament is full of examples of how our ancestors screwed up and these examples are for our benefit–to learn from their mistakes to be sure, but more for us to see that God has not backed off of his relentless pursuit of his people, of you and me. That is overwhelming to ponder, humbling to consider and way more than I deserve. Yet it is true. I’ve often asked this of myself: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?” (2:6). This morning I saw this explicitly in Job 7 and Psalms 8 and 144, but it is implicit throughout scripture: God is mindful of us!
Another verse that jumped out at me was, “So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, ‘I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises'” (2:11-12). This includes a quote from Psalm 22:22, a powerful psalm that was so significant that Jesus began to quote it from the cross. Lord, it is amazing to think that you would suffer as you described in Psalm 22, all for our benefit. Such a paradox. You suffered so we would know you care for us, that we would believe in you so we can properly worship you and live eternally in your presence. And yet, you call us friend, brothers and sisters. No wonder this is difficult for many to understand, it’s so much more than we deserve. The words “thank you” are simply not enough. Teach us, Lord, and show us how we can be worthy of your song.