Hebrews 2
Outline
1-4 | Give Heed to the Gospel
5-8 | Earth Subject to Man and the Son of Man
9 | Jesus humbled for a purpose
10-13 | Jesus Perfected in Suffering
14-18 | Jesus Humbled to Provide Mercy and Propitiation for Sins
Reflections
This chapter is bookended, so to speak, with two passages that speak directly to the very essence of the Gospel. The first addresses the need to give heed to its message and the latter speaks to why Jesus did what He did for all mankind everywhere.
In this first section we see that the message declared by the eyewitnesses, i.e. the apostles, can be trusted and needs to be listen to. Note too the references to the eyewitness record of the writers of the New Testament.
Hebrews 2:1-4 NASB For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
Luke
Luke 1:1-4 NASB Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
Acts 1:1-2 NASB The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.
John
John 21:24-25 NASB This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written.
I John 1:1-4 NASB What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
Peter
II Peter 1:16 NASB For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Scripture Inspired by God
II Timothy 3:16-17 NASB All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
II Peter 1:19-21 NASB So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
The reason for Christ’s being humbled, willingly, was done for a purpose, so that He could make propitiation for us. All of creation was made and is subject to Him but Jesus gave up His place in glory to come to earth for man.
Hebrews 2:17-18 NASB Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Matthew 26:39, 42 NASB And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” … 42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Romans 3:23-25 NASB for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
I John 2:1-2 NASB My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
I John 4:10 NASB In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Philippians 2:5-11 NASB Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 5:6-8 NASB For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
I Corinthians 15:3 NASB For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
I Peter 3:18 NASB For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
We have in scripture the eyewitness accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, who came to earth from heaven, so that he might offer Himself as a once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of mankind, reconciling us back to God and making atonement for our sins. Let us pay attention to this gospel message and not ignore the call of God for us to repent and draw near to God for mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Heavenly Father, Your lovingkindness is everlasting and it is shown through Your Son’s willingness to humble Himself, giving up His place in glory, coming to earth in the form of a man, and offering His body as a sacrifice for our sins, once for all. Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
