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“Made Like His Brethren”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kyle Pope<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Shakespeare\u2019s Henry the Fifth<\/em> king Henry disguises himself before battle and goes among his people. While the people don\u2019t realize who he is, he speaks to them about himself saying: \u201c…I think the King is but a man, as I am. The violet smells to him as it doth to me, the element shows to him as it doth to me, all his senses have but human condition\u201d (IV.i.105-108). The second chapter of the book of Hebrews tells us about a time when the King walked among us; a time when His senses felt the \u201chuman condition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n To a generation, like our own, that was fascinated with angels (see Colossians 2:18), the Hebrew writer begins the book by showing that Jesus was superior to angelic beings (1:5-13). While those divine messengers had carried the oracles of God (1:14-2:4), man was the focus of His plan of salvation (2:5-8). The writer offers as proof of this the fact that Jesus Himself, did not become like the angels, but \u201clower than the angels\u201d <\/strong>in order to \u201ctaste death for everyone\u201d<\/strong> (2:9 NKJV). The writer brings out four facts about this that serve as recurring themes throughout the book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I. Perfection through suffering (2:10). <\/strong>The writer tells us that Jesus, the Author of salvation, was made \u201cperfect through suffering\u201d <\/strong>(2:10c). Jesus was not immune to pain. He was not sheltered from the harshness of the human condition. His humanity allowed Him to feel what it was like to suffer while \u201cbeing tempted\u201d <\/strong>(2:18). This put Him in a position to \u201csympathize with our weaknesses\u201d<\/strong> (4:15). The perfecting to which the Hebrew writer refers was not the attaining of flawlessness; Jesus already possessed that. Rather, it was the completion of the task which made Him a worthy High Priest. The Greek lawmaker Solon once said, \u201cyou must learn to obey before you command\u201d (Diogenes Laertius, i. 60.6). While Jesus did not have to experience human suffering to become worthy of the right to command, having done so He more than deserved to be \u201ccrowned with glory and honor\u201d <\/strong>(2:9b). The writer declared later: \u201cthough He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things that He suffered\u201d<\/strong> (5:8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n II. Unity with those sanctified (2:11-13). <\/strong>The word hagiaz\u014d,<\/em> translated \u201csanctified\u201d means, \u201cto separate from profane things and dedicate to God\u201d (Thayer). In most cases the one who sanctified something was distinct from that which was sanctified. An owner of a flock or herd dedicated the first-born from the sheep or cattle to God (Deuteronomy 15:19). The owner of a field dedicated it to the Lord (Leviticus 27:22). God set apart for Himself the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13a), the priests (Exodus 30:30) and the Israelites (Exodus 31:13b). Christ\u2019s humanity accomplished something quite different. In \u201cbringing many sons to glory\u201d<\/strong> (2:10b) through the gospel, He set them apart in sanctification to God. He did this while sharing their humanity. The writer tells us, \u201cboth He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are one\u201d <\/strong>(2:11a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This oneness with the sanctified effects both mankind and Jesus Himself. The writer tells us because of unity with the sanctified, \u201cHe is not ashamed to call them brethren\u201d <\/strong>(2:11b). While Christians certainly can bring Christ shame through sin (6:6), His humanity made our own adoption as sons possible. We are not illegitimate children. We are not the \u201cblack sheep\u201d of the family. Because of who Jesus is He, the Son of the ruler of heaven, need not be embarrassed to acknowledge us as family. What a beautiful statement the writer recounts from Psalm 22:22, \u201cI will declare Your name to My brethren.\u201d<\/strong> John, centuries after the Psalmist, declared \u201cwhat manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God\u201d<\/strong> (I John 3:1). As children of the same Father, what love the Father has bestowed upon us that we and His Son Jesus are called \u201cbrethren!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n III. Shared flesh and blood (2:14-15). <\/strong>Before the gnostic heresies that denied that Deity could become flesh; before the unauthorized church councils that sought to creedalize, rationalize and encapsulate the humanity of Christ; before the false doctrine of original sin forced theologians to claim that Christ\u2019s humanity was in some way distinct from the rest of Adam\u2019s seed; the Hebrew writer declared simply, \u201cas the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same\u201d<\/strong> (Hebrews 2:14a). The word translated \u201cpartaken\u201d (\u201cshare\u201d NASB) is the word koinone\u014d,<\/em> the verb form of the familiar noun koinonia,<\/em> translated \u201cfellowship\u201d or \u201ccommunion\u201d in most translations. The word translated \u201cshare\u201d (\u201ctook part\u201d KJV) is the word metech\u014d <\/em>which combines the prefix meta<\/em> meaning \u201cwith\u201d and the verb ech\u014d<\/em> meaning \u201cto have.\u201d Jesus participated with us in humanity. He had, together with us, flesh and blood. He was \u201cin all things\u201d <\/strong>made like His brethren (2:17).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus\u2019 sharing our flesh and blood was important for a number of reasons. First, as noted above, this fellowship with us in a fleshly body made Him fit to command those who are flesh. Second, without a shared human nature, kinship with humanity could not be fully realized. We wouldn\u2019t be His brethren. Yet, the Hebrew writer points out a third thing that demanded shared humanity: the destruction (2:14b), release (2:15a) and liberation from bondage to death (2:15b). Three times in the Old Testament we find the simple assertion that God is \u201cnot a man\u201d <\/strong>(Numbers 23:19; I Samuel 15:29; Job 9:32). The Hebrew writer will remind us later \u201cit is appointed for men to die\u201d<\/strong> (9:27). God could not have simply taken away man\u2019s subjection to death without compromising His own holiness. Only when God in the flesh chose to \u201clay down\u201d<\/strong> His life and then \u201ctake it again\u201d <\/strong>(John 10:17,18) could the justice and mercy of Deity be satisfied, and bondage to death be overcome. In doing this, Jesus became a \u201cmerciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God\u201d<\/strong> (2:17b).<\/p>\n\n\n\n IV. Aid to the seed of Abraham (2:16-18).<\/strong> Near the end of chapter two the writer makes one final point which demonstrates Christ\u2019s superiority to angels and His focus on human salvation. He writes, \u201cHe does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham\u201d <\/strong>(2:16). God gave Abraham the promise, \u201cin your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice\u201d<\/strong> (Genesis 22:18). In the New Testament we learn that this promise pointed directly to the coming of Jesus (Galatians 3:16) and indirectly to those who would have faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:29). A Christian is of the \u201cseed of Abraham\u201d because they have a kinship of faith. The Hebrew writer shows us that Jesus\u2019 humanity enables Him to \u201cgive aid\u201d to the children of Abraham. The primary way that Jesus does this is in His capacity as our High Priest. In His death Jesus was \u201coffered once to bear the sins of many\u201d<\/strong> (9:28), but this did not end His efforts on behalf of mankind. The Hebrew writer tells us that Jesus \u201cever lives to make intercession\u201d <\/strong>for His people (7:25). In this capacity Jesus\u2019 humanity is of great importance to us. An advocate who knows nothing about the problems, circumstances, pains and trials of the one he represents is in a poor position to stand before the judge on behalf of that person. On the other hand, a mediator who has shared common experiences with their client brings to their representation a passion, empathy and awareness which can affect the outcome of judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to this, the Hebrew writer suggests that Jesus can offer aid \u201cto those who are tempted\u201d<\/strong> (2:18). Paul told the Corinthians that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what \u201cwe are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape\u201d<\/strong> (I Corinthians 10:13). This tells us something about the expectations of God. He is not going to ask anything of us that we do not have the ability to do. It also tells us something about the oversight of God. In His providential care for us, He will not allow life circumstances to place tempting situations before us which cannot be overcome. If we place such temptations before ourselves it is our fault, not God\u2019s. The fact that Jesus has experienced being tempted \u201cin all points as we are, yet without sin\u201d<\/strong> (4:14) allows Deity to have an even greater awareness of what temptations pose the greatest dangers to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n V. Giving More Earnest Heed (2:1-4).<\/strong> The great beauty of the Hebrew writer\u2019s encouragements to us is the fact that they are more than simply theological dissertations. There are very practical considerations that these truths should motivate. Chapter two begins with the words, \u201cTherefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away\u201d<\/strong> (2:1). All that Jesus has done for us; all that He became and endured will mean nothing to us if we \u201cdrift away.\u201d The writer reminds us that the \u201csigns and wonders\u201d<\/strong> together with \u201cvarious miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit,\u201d<\/strong> were the means by which God was \u201cbearing witness\u201d <\/strong>to the validity of what Jesus and His apostles and prophets spoke (2:4). Just as punishment was demanded for those who violated the Law of Moses (2:2), the practical question which the Hebrew writer places before us is \u201chow shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation\u201d <\/strong>(2:3)? May we in our own lives allow what Jesus became for us to motivate an ever earnest heed to all that God has spoken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via Faithful Sayings,<\/em> Volume 18, Issue 45 (November 6, 2016) 1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents: 1) “Made Like His Brethren” (Kyle Pope) ——————– -1- “Made Like His Brethren” Kyle Pope In Shakespeare\u2019s Henry the Fifth […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3101"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3278,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3101\/revisions\/3278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
——————– <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith <\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized <\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday:<\/strong> 9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first):<\/strong> 7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes
First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"