Sermon: Don't Resist A Rest, Hebrews 3:7-19

 I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, VA. Over two years ago I began a series on Hebrews entitled "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus." I decided to post the links to the videos for any who would like to watch them. This sermon covers Hebrews 3:7-19 and is called "Don't Resist A Rest." The sermon was originally preached on July 24, 2022. I'll post the notes/outline below (NOTE: the video may not follow the notes exactly!), but here is the video link: Hebrews 3:7-19. The sermon starts around the 3:00 minute mark. 

Hebrews Series: Look to Jesus

Do Not Resist A Rest, Hebrews 3:7-19

Prayer: O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Intro: Importance of God’s Word and obedience for rest—Adam and Eve; Abraham, Isssac, and Jacob; Moses; children of Israel; David; Jesus. When we refuse to listen to God and obey what he says, we are resisting a rest. Rest comes from walking with Jesus (come to me) but can be resisted. Today, our author reminds us: Don’t Resist A Rest. God’s rest is something we can resist, and to avoid doing this, our author gives us three points to remember: 1) Israel Resisted God’s Rest—the Word (vv. 7-11), 2) Israel’s disobedience came at a price—the Warning (vv. 12-15), and 3) We don’t want to miss our opportunity—the Why (vv. 16-19). 

Main Point: Do not harden your hearts to rebellion like the Exodus generation. Do not resist a rest!

Word (vv. 7-11); Warning (vv. 12-15); Why (vv. 16-19)

If the first 6 verses of this chapter are the positive example of faithfulness, then the rest of this chapter focuses on a negative example and sets the tone for the discussion in chapter 4 where the author discusses the “rest” of God. This section begins an exhortation to the readers regarding faithfulness. To accomplish this goal, the author introduces a quote from Psalm 95.

The Word—Israel Resisted God (vv. 7-11): The reference to Psalm 95 would no doubt be familiar to the Jewish readers of Hebrews:

This Psalm was often read during the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths. It happened in the autumn, and people would go outside and live in little huts that they made. They would take their meals there for seven days to remember that they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. And they would remember their mistakes that led to the wilderness (and to death for many in that wilderness). And they would remember God's grace and provision as well.

The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:7-11. The Psalm may be divided into three parts:

Exhortation: “do not harden your hearts”

Example: “as you did in the wilderness”

Judgment: God speaks “Therefore I was angry”. Note: part of worship is to listen for God’s speech, and in this case God gives a harsh word.

The author of Hebrews brings this Psalm into the present experience of his readers for the following reasons:

They would be very familiar with it.

It was a sober reminder of the people’s lack of faithfulness..

It describes the importance of listening to God’s voice

It underscores the tragic price of faithlessness/refusal to hear and to act on God’s Word.

As the author interprets Psalm 95, it becomes clear that he has the events of Numbers 13-14 (Kadesh Barnea) in mind (Bill Lane--Call to Commitment):

People come to the edge of the land of promise. God tells them to send in 12 spies. Ten come back with a negative report. The people responded with hardness of heart to God’s Word. The people despair, and God judges them. The people try to respond after the fact (more hardness of the heart maybe?) and receive a crushing defeat (late obedience is often half-hearted and rarely rewarded—obey NOW! Do not wait! Do not resist a rest).

The point here is that “hardness of heart” seems to signify treating the Lord and his Word with contempt. It is a refusal to believe God and to act on that belief. Do not resist a rest by refusing to hear and to obey God. When he calls, obey immediately. If we resist a rest, there is trouble ahead. Let’s consider the warning—they paid a price for resisting! Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

The Warning—They paid a price for resisting. (vv. 12-15): In Hebrews 3:12-19, the author underscores the urgency of listening to and properly responding to God’s voice. George Guthrie states that he uses ideas like “heart,” “day,” “today,” “hear,” “enter,” “test,” “rest,” and “unbelief” from the Psalm to create a commentary and exhortation for his readers.

There are two clear exhortations here (Guthrie--NIV Application Commentary):

Take care to listen to God and avoid hardness of heart.

Encourage each other daily.

The price for resisting God is a loss of rest—judgment. We need to be careful NOT to resist a rest. We need to encourage each other and press each forward to obedience and faithfulness. Resisting a rest comes at a price, so we need to be careful that we don’t miss our opportunity. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

The Why—Don’t Miss Our Opportunity (vv. 16-19): In a type of “question and answer” format, the author weaves his commentary by quoting parts of Psalm 95 and responding with the corresponding events in Numbers 13-14 (Lane--Call to Commitment):

V. 16 “who heard and provoked God” (Psalm 95)—were they not those who “came out of Egypt with Moses” (Numbers 14)

V. 17 “With whom was he angry for 40 years” (Psalm 95)—”Was it not with those who sinned, and whose bodies fell in the wilderness?” (Numbers 14)

V. 18 “To whom did he swear” (Psalm 95)—those who were “disobedient” (Numbers 14)

Our author is warning his readers to avoid the hard hearts of the Jews and the judgment of Kadesh Barnea (Psalm 106 too!). The preacher then draws two significant conclusions:

We have become partners/partakers with Christ (v. 14), but this presupposes a firm intent to continue faithfully to the end

Israel was unable to enter God’s promised rest due to unbelief and disobedience (v. 19)

Hebrews’ author ends his section with a continued call to faithfulness. The example of Jesus (and Moses) form the positive model. The example of the Jews in the wilderness are the negative.

As before, our author warns of the consequences of continued disobedience or unfaithfulness—there are, in other words, problems when we neglect God:

Neglect of God leads to hardness of heart

Hardness of heart leads to loss of rest

There is retribution for ignoring God and his voice

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

Conclusion:

Bill Lane asks the following questions for application of this passage:

Do we possess a hardened heart?  Do we display a deeper concern for the counsel of others than for the counsel of God?

Does an attitude of unbelief characterize our lives?  Are we living in fear of the “giants in the land” instead of relying on God for provision?

Does our disposition display a quickness to grumble and complain about our circumstances?

Do we tend to extend a calloused and unappreciative attitude towards one another?

At a critical moment the Jews refused to listen to God.  Their refusal to listen reveals a lack of faith or a fundamental refusal to trust God.  Their rejection of God reveals this shocking truth:

“A participant in the redemption provided by God can choose to disbelieve God.  It is possible to display unpardonable indifference to the promise of God.” (Bill Lane--Call to Commitment)

What do you think?

Five principles of faithfulness are found here:

A healthy focus on Jesus encourages one to faithfulness.

Faithfulness is volitional as well as intellectual or emotional.

The twin failings of sinfulness and unbelief hinder faithfulness.

The faithful persevere in their commitment.

Faithfulness is communal, it is not simply individual.

What do you think? How would you apply this text to your community of faith?

Passages: Amos 8; Psalm 95; Numbers 14; Matthew 11; Colossians 1

Thank you for reading! 

Resurrection Sunday: When Jesus Shows Up, This Changes Everything, John 20:19-31 (a repost)

Here is a sermon I preached almost three years ago about the resurrection of Jesus. I thought it might be a good note for Easter. I hope it blesses you! 

John 20:19-31—When Jesus Shows Up, This Changes Everything

Introduction—Empty Tomb, Mary, A Transformational Encounter with the Living Lord/God; The empty tomb is evidence of the resurrection, but an encounter with the living Jesus is a transformational experience. The disciples believed Mary’s report about the tomb, but they lacked the encounter with the risen Lord. Think about it, how many Old Testament people of faith had a transformational encounter with God? Abraham met God, and we are told that he trusted God to the point to where his faith was counted as righteousness. His encounter with God caused him to believe the God was able to raise someone from the dead. How about Jacob? At Bethel, as he is scared for his own life as he prepares for a meeting with Esau--Jacob has a wrestling match and wins an injured hip. He realizes after the fact that he has encountered God, and he is transformed! Moses meets God in a burning bush, and the encounter with God's glory wrecks his life and gives him a new purpose. He is transformed from a shepherd living in exile to a shepherd of the flocks of Israel! In the New Testament we have the radical encounter of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. He encounters the resurrected Jesus and changes from a persecutor to a disciple and the apostle to the Gentiles.

Mary encountered Jesus and her testimony changed from “They’ve taken his body” or “The tomb is empty” to “I’ve seen the Lord!” This encounter changed everything for Mary. No longer concerned to find a corpse to prepare for burial, she has met the living Lord and can’t wait to tell others. She runs to the disciples, but would they believe her testimony? That is the topic of our text today. What happens to the disciples after Mary sees Jesus? What happens when Jesus shows up? This changes everything! (Read John 20:19-31)

Jesus Comes, He Speaks, He Shows

1) When Jesus Shows Up Behind Closed Doors—Scars and Fear (19-23)—The disciples didn’t believe Mary’s testimony about Jesus' resurrection apparently. On the same day that Mary has her encounter, they gather together and hide for “fear of the Jews.” They are scared, and they are hiding. Think of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3: they were scared and they were hiding, and God came to find them. We have a similar situation here, but it is not created by disobedience and sin. 

Remember, these men had expected Jesus to overthrow Rome, to take on the job of Ruler/Messiah. They watched him ride in triumphantly to the praise of the crowd. Expectations were running high, and then everything was dashed to the ground by a single betrayal and a horrible crucifixion. Jesus took on the sin of the world and by dying as a perfect sacrifice provided a means to atonement between fallen humanity and a righteous God. 

The disciples didn’t seem to see that. They saw the gore, they saw the horror, and they were afraid that they might be next on the “hit list” of the Jews and Romans (Remember Don Francisco’s song “He’s alive”). Even though Mary told them the good news of the resurrection, they weren’t having any of it. They hid because they were scared. 

Fear may not be the opposite of faith, but fear can keep us from being faithful. The disciples were afraid. How are we afraid? How does our fear cause us to hide? Maybe we’ve been hurt, and that hurt has driven us to hide from fear of being hurt again. As Adam and Eve (and later, the disciples) learned, hiding in fear doesn’t stop the pain. Maybe we hide in things that cover or mask our pain? Maybe we find ways to ignore or “hide” our scars? Like the disciples, we hide because we are afraid. When we are afraid, we close the doors to keep danger (and others) out. God isn’t hindered by a closed door or by fear. In just these situations, Jesus shows up. 

See how he responds to the disciples. He comes—the door is no obstacle. Whatever you fear, whatever has hurt you cannot keep Jesus from showing up. In fact, those situations are often the special times where he regularly shows up. Think of Abraham, Moses, David, or others in the Bible.

He speaks—Peace be with you. Jesus speaks “Shalom” (wholeness, peace, well-being) to his frightened disciples.

He Shows himself (scars and all)—after he speaks he showed them his hands and his side. Why? To prove it was Jesus, the very same Jesus that they saw horribly murdered just a few days ago. Also, Jesus showed them his scars to remind them that sometimes scars are God’s way of dealing with fear or even bringing peace. Jesus’ scars are the price for our salvation, his suffering brings us peace with God and peace with others. The scars remain EVEN after resurrection as reminders that there is no crown without a cross. There is no salvation without suffering. 

Scars tell our story: Think of your own personal scars. They may be victorious (I won the game!) or sorrowful (I was mistreated or I did something foolish), but scars are part of our identity. Jesus’ scars are part of his identity. They are the reminder of what he did to save us. Yes, scars sometimes come from fear (or maybe fear causes scars), but even those scars (gracefully redeemed by a merciful God) can identify us in our redemption. 

Scars and Fear—when Jesus shows up, these are changed. (Even ugly scars can become beautiful reminders of redemption when God shows up—the scars remain, but they tell a different story because of God’s work—forgiveness story). The presence of Jesus changes everything.

Jesus gives the disciples the Holy Spirit and tells them that he will send them as the Father sent him. They are agents of forgiveness who may well suffer for the ministry to which God has set them apart. Suffering may result in the healing of others (kind of like Jesus’ suffering saves us from our sins), but we are sent nonetheless. As the Father sent Jesus, we must go so that others can meet Jesus and receive his forgiveness. 

People may be afraid of what Jesus has to offer through us, but his presence will be their redemption too. Scars and Fear—when Jesus shows up, these are changed. The presence of Jesus changes everything. But in our story Jesus didn’t just show up to the fearful behind closed doors, he also makes himself known to the bothered and bewildered—to Thomas. When Jesus shows up, even the bothered person can find peace. This changes everything

2) When Jesus Shows Up to the Bewildered and Bothered—Scars and Doubt (24-28)—Thomas is known primarily for one thing—he is the Doubting one. Nonetheless, this isn’t "beat up on Thomas" day, so I want you to see Thomas’ story through different lenses. Just like the fear of the other disciples caused them to hide (and even created some scars—think of Peter’s denial and his later restoration in John 21), the doubt of Thomas creates a scar for him. 

This is the Mary story all over again. The disciples saw Jesus, and their story went from “The tomb is empty” to “We’ve seen the Lord!” Their radical encounter with the living Jesus had changed everything for them, but Thomas wasn’t having any of it. He wanted to see for himself. A good empiricist, Thomas wanted hard evidence—the warm body of Jesus and not just the hot words of testimony from the disciples. 

A week after that first dinner appearance, Thomas is with the disciples when Jesus shows up again. Jesus comes, he speaks, and he shows. Thomas is changed by the encounter: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas got it. This appearance of the living Messiah, this resurrected, warm, breathing, and scarred Jesus wrecked the doubt of Thomas. Doubt (like fear) isn’t necessarily the opposite of faith (faithlessness is the opposite of faith—to disobey is the opposite of faith). Thomas wanted to see for himself, he wouldn’t accept the testimony of many others. He’d been scarred before. Maybe the words of others didn’t pan out for him? Maybe the testimony of others caused him harm or didn’t work out positively? 

Maybe you can identify? Yeah, you hear the testimonies of others and you wonder “I’m not sure I buy it. Things don’t work out for me that way.” But note what Thomas’ doubt did for him—he asked he hard questions—“Jesus show us the Father” and “Where are you going, Lord?” (John 14) and now he is asking for hard evidence. Maybe our doubt keeps us locked in fear, and we simply don’t speak up. We don’t want to be the “odd duck” in the crowd. Remember, Jesus shows up when we are locked up in our doubt. Jesus shows up and shows his scars. 

Thomas sees his scarred Lord and makes a bold confession. Jesus wants to show up in our doubts, he wants to apply the balm of his scarred body to our scars of doubt and fear, but we must respond to him. Will we? Will we speak up? Will we confess him as “Lord and God” even when things don’t seem to be going well? Do we have to see to believe? Jesus shows up, and his presence changes everything. But there is really good news—you don’t need a physical revelation of Jesus. He comes, he speaks, and he reveals himself in many ways even today.

3) When Jesus Shows Up Beyond Sight to Faith—Scars and Faith (29-31)—Most of us have never had a “burning bush” or a “Damascus Road” vision with God (but if you have had one, I’d love to hear the story), but we can experience God’s presence by the testimony of others and by the words of his revelation (his Scripture and his Spirit). In fact, Jesus says here that we are more blessed than even those who first heard, first saw, and first testified of the living resurrected Lord. When we believe in him without the empirical or mystical experience, we are living breathing tabernacles of the living God, we are his examples.

Jesus comes to us—in our problems, our scars, our fears, our doubts

Jesus speaks to us—by his Book and by his Spirit

Jesus shows himself to us—in his community of faithful people and in creation around us.

We have scars, but in the midst of these struggles Jesus calls us to faith—faith is faithfulness, it is responding to God’s revelation with obedience and trust that Jesus will do what he promised. It is the child trusting his Father to act like a good father. Faith is hearing the testimony about and of God, and responding with obedience. When we do that, we’ll find that we are adding to the written (and spoken) testimony of centuries of believers. We become some of the “other signs” performed by Jesus.

Conclusion—What now?

How do we respond to this? Will we continue to hide in fear or abide in doubt, or will we choose to believe in this transformational God and embrace him as a person who wears scars to save us even in our fear and doubt? 

Here are some practical applications for this sermon.

1) Admit your fear, but don't let it keep you from seeing Jesus. Remember, he is among us as the Suffering Servant, the one who bore our sins in his scars. This week, ask God to show you where you are letting your fear hinder you from obeying God. This week confess your fear, admit your doubts, then step out and obey God anyway. Do a search in Scripture for the words "Peace" and "Do not be afraid." Note how many times God shows up to his people when they are fearful or in need of his peace. Note also how many of those people then acted in obedience to God in spite of their fear.

2) Embrace your scars. I'm not saying that we need to celebrate or rehearse the wounds that have harmed us or hindered our spiritual growth. What I mean is we need to remember that the scars are part of life, and they tell part of our story. Let God redeem those scars and change them from ugly wounds to marks of redemption. How do we do that? We have to come to the wounded Savior, to recognize that his wounds heal us and make our wounds beautiful. Your scars and the story that goes with them may well speak grace and peace to someone else. Let God use your scars . Imitate Jesus here. His scars identified his suffering, but they also showed his victory. Jesus' scars heal us, and he can use our scars to help others. 

3) Renew your relationship with Jesus. Remember that a personal transformational relationship is possible, but relationships run two ways. We must invest time with Jesus if we hope to grow in relation to him. Any relationship to which we do not devote time and communication is pretty much destined to fail. God has spoken to us in Scripture and in the life of Jesus. This week spend time in God's Word, spend time in prayer with him, and grow in your knowledge of and relationship to him. Make time for Jesus. 

Remember, when Jesus shows up, this changes everything! 

Thanks for reading! 

Sermon: A Remedy for Discouragement, Hebrews 3:1-6

I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, VA. About two years ago I began a series on Hebrews entitled "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus." I decided to post the links to the videos for any who would like to watch them. This sermon covers Hebrews 3:1-6 and is called "A Strategy for Discouragement." The sermon was originally preached on June 26, 2022. I'll post the notes/outline below (NOTE: the vide may not follow the notes exactly!), but here is the video link: Hebrews 3:1-6. The sermon starts around the 2:00 minute mark. 

A Remedy for Discouragement, Hebrews 3:1-6 (Thanks to Alec Rowlands’ on-line Sermon "God's House" for some of the material here)

Introduction: Funny story of discouraged man (Alec Rowlands): 

"I read a story the other day of an accident report, turned in to an insurance office, by an injured, discouraged bricklayer, that would be funny if it was not so close to reality for many of us here this morning. This is the material discouragement is made of:

Dear Sirs:

      I am writing this letter in response to your request for additional information on my insurance claim form. In block #3 of the accident report form, entitled "Cause of the accident", I put, "trying to do the job alone." You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will be sufficient.

      I am a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of the new six story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of bricks left over. Rather than carry the bricks by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley which fortunately attached to the side of the building, at the sixth floor.

      Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out, and loaded the brick into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of brick. You will note in block #11 of the accident report form that I weigh 135 pounds.

      Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building.

      In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collar bone.

      Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.

      Fortunately I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of the pain.

      At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground, and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighs approximately fifty pounds.

      I refer you again to my weight in block #11. I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.

      In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations of my legs and lower body.

      The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.

      I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks in pain, unable to stand, and watching the empty barrel six stories above me, I again lost my presence of mind....and...I....let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope so it came down on me and broke both legs. I hope this is the information you require! 

A comparison is made to the discouraged Jews who received the sermon/letter to the Hebrews. Some of the recipients of this letter appear to be interested in walking away from Jesus to go to a belief system that may provide them security (but could not provide them the salvation afforded by Jesus). 

How do we grow in our faith to the point where we can have a heart of gratitude in discouraging times? Hebrews 3:1-6 offers a remedy to discouragement. To combat discouragement, we need a strategy, and the author of Hebrews provides us one in 3:1-6. The strategy involves three things: 1) the plan: consider Jesus, 2) the builder: considered worthy and made ready, and 3) the house: hold fast to what God is building. Every architect starts with a plan in mind, so let’s consider the plan first. Then we’ll look at our architect and the house he builds.

Point 1—The Plan: Consider Jesus—vv. 1-2: One sentence—The author calls us brothers and sisters who share (“share” here is similar to the word used to describe Jesus “partaking” of humanity) a heavenly calling, a calling to an inheritance stored up for us in heaven and eternal life in the presence of God. It is an upward call. In Philippians 3:14, Paul says, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Of course, pulling us down every day are the weights and bondages and discouragements of this world. Verse 1—"holy brothers"—those who have been sanctified by Jesus’ blood (1:3; 2:11). They also “share in the heavenly calling”—living in a heavenly orientation. That orientation is a focus on heavenly things.

Consider Jesus (Alec Rowlands): “First, there is ‘The Plan’. The book of Hebrews is written to a group of believers who are discouraged and considering quitting it all. . . . who wouldn't be discouraged? . . . . They are hurting. So the Holy Spirit, writing in 3:1, gives us God's plan for us.”

Apply your mind to Jesus—Consider him—study him—savor him. To consider something requires time and effort. It doesn’t happen automatically, especially when we’re busy. And so our antidote to drifting and our strength for endurance is to see and savor Messiah Jesus from His Word. Since we are prone to drift, we must take time to consider Jesus often!

What does our author say about Jesus? He is the Apostle and high priest of our confession. Confession is a public statement and a public living. Public confession is the response of faith to the action of God in Jesus Christ. The core of that confession is Jesus as the Son of God. What do we confess? Jesus is God’s Apostle and God’s Appointed High priest (sums up material in chapters 1 and 2). Jesus is sent by God to proclaim the definitive word of salvation and to make atonement for our sins. Jesus is only called “Apostle” and “High Priest” in Hebrews. In later chapters, the author of Hebrews will unpack the idea of Jesus as High Priest. Suffice it to say that here we are to confess and to consider Jesus as the one sent by God to settle once for all (definitively) the plan God has for humanity. Jesus is our high priest who has gone through everything that is causing us pain--only He does more than sympathize, this priest has the power to deliver us and to set us free, to give us His joy in the middle of difficulty (and to make us into the people God called us to be). It is a heavenly focus and a call to faithfulness. 2 Kings 6: the enraged king of Aram sent horses and chariots to capture Elisha because God was using him to thwart the king’s plans to destroy Israel. The servant saw the enemy until Elisha asked God to open his eyes to see God’s army.

A heavenly focus! Where is our focus? Consider Jesus. Why? Because Jesus was and is faithful, and his faithfulness invites us to faithful life. It also a comparison to Moses since Moses was also faithful. Jesus was faithful to his appointed tasks just as Moses. Both men were faithful. In the next section, however, our author will show a difference between the faithfulness of Jesus and the faithfulness of Moses. Here, our author reminds us that to combat discouragement we need to consider Jesus!

If our strategy for discouragement involves a focus on Jesus, then we need to consider why Jesus is worthy of that consideration/focus. Verses 3-4 explain why Jesus is worthy of our consideration—he is our builder, the one who builds God’s house into a holy people. He is superior to prophets, angels, and even Moses. Let’s see.

Point 2—The Builder: Considered Worthy (and Made Ready)—vv. 3-4: These verses lay out what we find as we fix our thoughts on Jesus. He is the faithful builder of our lives. Jesus has given us the plans, and He is the builder. The author of Hebrews compares Jesus' faithfulness in our lives to the faithfulness of Moses as a leader of God's people. The main point here is that although Moses was a great leader, he was only a servant in God’s house. Jesus is the builder.

The argument turns on the difference between a servant (therapon—attendant, waiter, comrade in arms) and a son (huios—son, maybe “heir”?) mentioned in verses 5-6.

There is a difference between service in the house of God and the opportunity to preside over the house of God. The key to the argument here is Jesus’ faithfulness. The basis of Jesus’ superiority is his relationship as Son—as Son he is sort of “appointed” by his Father to preside over the house. Moses is reliable because he is faithful—he “witnessed” to the things God “spoke” (a reference to Heb. 1:1?). Moses testified of “future” things. Moses testified about Jesus. In the ministry of Jesus we may recognize the fulfillment of the ancient promises concerning a faithful agent of God.

Considered worthy—Jesus is considered worthy of more honor than Moses just like a builder is worthy of more honor than the home built. Have or possess—the builder has or possesses more honor that what he builds. Make ready/build—every house is made ready/built by someone, but God built everything (through Jesus? Cf. Heb 1).

God is the one who builds everything, and in chapter 1 we are told that God built everything through his Son Jesus. Jesus is the architect (like a “carpenter” tekton) who builds and rules over God’s house. Moses is a butler/servant in God’s house, but Jesus is the Son and the builder.

Jesus is a faithful builder. He will not forsake you. He will never forget you. He will not give up on you. He has proven himself to be faithful, and Jesus will be faithful even now.

Our strategy to combat discouragement requires a focus on Jesus who is worthy of our attention due to his faithfulness. But there is one final thing to consider: the house that our builder is building. If the builder is faithful, then the house he builds will be faithful as well. However, we must hold fast to our confidence and hope. So, what is the house God is building through Jesus?

Point 3—The House: Hold Fast to What God is Building—vv. 5-6: Christ as Son over God’s house (“Christ” is used for the first time here) marks the contrast between Moses and Jesus. The servant (Moses) serves in the house. The son presides over the house. The Greek word for “servant” is used only here in the New Testament. It comes from the Septuagint of Numbers 12:7, and has the nuance of one who serves voluntarily (G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament [Charles Scribner’s Sons], p. 108). The contrast is, although Moses was great, he was only a servant, whereas Jesus is the Son of God, the heir of all things

We are his household . . . Jesus is faithful to God. We demonstrate that we are his people if we also show ourselves to be faithful. Faithfulness begets faithfulness as “faith begets faith” (Romans 1:16-17). The implied question here is:  Will you be faithful?

Consider also what Jesus has made us. He is our builder. Jesus has made us his house. “House” is used seven times in this passage. It is a metaphor for God’s people, in whom He dwells (Eph. 2:19, 22; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:4-5). The Bible never calls a church building “God’s house.” God’s people are His house.

Rounding out his exhortation in verse 6, the author of Hebrew offers a conditional sentence. If we hold fast our confidence and the hope of which we boast. The word katecho (“hold on”) conveys the meaning of hold to, keep, detain/restrain, contain/check, occupy, or possess. The idea is to keep a tight grip on our Christian faith (cf. “fixing our attention on Jesus in 6:1). Nowhere in the New Testament more than Hebrews do we find such repeated insistence on the fact that continuance in the Christian life is the test of reality.

There are two commandments in our passage. The first one is "Consider Jesus." The second one is "Cling to the hope and the confidence in which you boast." Clinging means I have to make it my responsibility to cling to Jesus. It must be my first course of action. 

“Courage” or “confidence” speaks of public boldness (the opposite of shrinking back or hiding). “Hope” refers to the relationship we have with God through Christ—it has both a present and future aspect. “Boast” has to do with the idea of what one “glories in” rather than selfish boasting.

In John 8:31, Jesus put it this way, "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples." Those who are faithful to Jesus, they are God's house. He took up residence in them when they were born again. Peter says that you are "living stones, being built into a spiritual house." The writer of Hebrews says, "We are his house!" Then he adds these words--we are God's house . . .  if we hold onto our courage . . .  if we hold onto the hope of which we boast. Those who are faithful to hold on are the house of God. Today, in the middle of discouragement, now is not the time for giving up, rather it's time for holding on.

The strategy to fight discouragement includes the Plan, the Builder, and the House. How should we respond?

Conclusion—First, read Scripture. Read the following chapters: 2 Kings 6, Psalm 30, Isaiah 66, Galatians 6, and Luke 10. Ask yourself three questions: 1) What is God doing here? 2) How does Jesus fit in these passages? 3) What can we learn that will help us to consider and to cling to Jesus? 

Second, take some time to savor Jesus. Set aside about 10 minutes a day to think about the beauty and amazing grace of Jesus. Write down some of the things you know about him. Thank him for his character, for his grace, for his kindness, for his holiness, for his sacrifice, for his faithfulness. Spend time to consider Jesus. 

Consider Jesus, cling to Jesus.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand . . .

Consider Jesus, cling to Jesus. 

Sermon: When You are Afraid, Look to Jesus, Hebrews 2:9-18

I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, VA. Almost two years ago I started a series on Hebrews entitled "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus." I decided to post the links to the videos for any who would like to watch these sermons. This sermon covers Hebrews 2:9-18 and is entitled "When Your are Afraid, Look to Jesus." I'll post the notes below (be aware that the video may not exactly follow these notes!), but here is the link for the video: Hebrews 2:9-18. The sermon starts around the 2:30 mark. 

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus Series

 When You are Afraid, Look to Jesus:  Hebrews 2:9-18

 

Intro: God uses hard times to develop godly character. Think of Daniel in the Lion Den or the three young men in the fiery furnace. As one of my pastor friends said, “Things may get awkward before they get awesome.” Suffering and pain can be a part of God’s shaping you into the character of Jesus. 

The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians facing a crisis (both a crisis of faith and perhaps a physical challenge). Since coming to Christ, life had not gotten better for many in the audience hearing this letter. It actually seemed to get more challenging. They may have even faced some sort of persecution from Rome. These Christians, like many of us, were facing frightening circumstances. They felt hopeless, frightened, abandoned. The author of Hebrews writes to encourage them to focus on Jesus who is superior to all others. The problem faced by Hebrews’ author is how does one reassure others in a time of trial when God seems absent? 

The author’s response is to give a word of encouragement by noting that God is not silent, he has spoken in Jesus. God is not absent, he is present with his people even in times of suffering. He has not abandoned his people. Jesus and his crucifixion are God’s expression of love and a reminder of his continued presence even in our worst situations. 

We sometimes face some frightening possibilities, don’t we? Life goes wrong, that diagnosis doesn't go as we wish, or a relationship falls apart, or jobs don’t come thru. Life plans often simply fall apart. We often find ourselves in frightening circumstances. What do we do when we are afraid?  When we are afraid, we need to see Jesus.  

Read Hebrews 2:9-18. Hebrews 2 gives us four points to remember when things get scary; 1) Jesus is our Pioneer; 2) Jesus is not ashamed of us; 3) Jesus shares our situation; 4) Jesus is our Provision. We need to Look to Jesus!

 

2:9-10—Look to Jesus: Jesus is Our Pioneer. The word "pioneer" here can mean “Leader” or “Champion” or “Source.” Glory Lost and Regained: The Bible tells a story of image bearers and glory lost, and in the story of Christ glory is regained. God’s intention for the human family was for the world to be subject to the one who has God’s image. Human rebellion in Eden caused a problem for that intention. Jesus comes to fulfill it, however, and in Christ humanity can realize its vocation and God’s intention (Col. 1:27—Christ in you the hope of glory; Psalm 8—crowned with glory and honor; Rom 5:1-2; Rom 8:18-21). Jesus tasted death for everyone so that he could restore to us the Life that was lost. Jesus’ death is not just for heaven, but it is to help us regain what was lost to Satan. 

Lower than angels, yet Lord over all; Jesus shared the human condition to die for us all. He suffered, and by doing so he is our source to persevere through suffering. Exalted to a position of authority; Able to bring us through suffering to glory; Jesus was “made perfect” through his suffering. The language speaks of being made fit as a high priest. Jesus was already perfect, so this refers to Jesus’ suffering on our behalf as our Mediator and Priest. Jesus matured through suffering, so also should we!

It was fitting—this was God’s plan, not an accident! Things that may bring fear are not necessarily accidents. God uses them to bring us to glory. Things will get awkward before they get awesome. Bill Lane says—”The exalted Son of God made the human condition, and especially its liability to death, his own in order to achieve for them the glorious destiny designed by God.” 

When you are afraid, look to Jesus; He has gone before you, and he will bring you through your trial. Look to Jesus!

 

2:11-13—Look to Jesus: He is not Ashamed of You. Jesus is our older brother—He is Family. In the movie, A River Runs Through It, the older brother couldn’t save the younger, but our story has a different ending. Jesus (our older brother) came into our situation. He became one of us, so that he could rescue us! He is family, and family stands together in adversity and trouble. Jesus accepts us as we are, but he loves us too much to leave us there. Yes, God will expose our sin, but he will not leave it graceless. He uses our circumstances to bring us to glory. Trials are often the means he uses to produce Jesus’ glorious character in us. The goal is to bring people to an experience of holiness (2:11) and to a reflection of Jesus’ character, and in pursuing that goal Jesus stands in solidarity with humanity who, in turn, stand under the call of God to be holy in Christ. 

When you are afraid, look to Jesus. He knows your situation, and he is not ashamed to be your brother. He is not ashamed to stand with you and for you. Look to Jesus!

 

2:14-16—Look to Jesus: Jesus Shared our Situation/He is one of us. He shared our fragile humanity. He came as a baby, he lived through teenage years, he experienced rejection, suffering, even death. He has been where you are/have been. He is not a stranger to your problems and trials. By his death, he destroyed the devil and the fear of death. Jesus’ death was not the result of human rebellion, but of his consecration to do God’s will. As a result, his death (and resurrection) rendered the devil’s power of death ineffective. 

When you are afraid, look to Jesus. He identifies with you. He shares our situation. As our champion Jesus comes to our aid (God is depicted in the OT as a warrior defending Israel: Isaiah 42:13; 49:24-26; 59:15-20). His death provides a means to freedom. Jesus is our champion who comes to our aid against our oppressor. Jesus became human to overcome death and give freedom to humans who are enslaved to death. Jesus shared our situation so that by his death he might destroy our adversary, Satan, who held the power of death; the reason for Jesus’ incarnation then is to overcome death and give freedom to humans who are enslaved to death. Jesus’ death destroyed the power of death, so we have nothing to fear (1 Cor 15:54-58 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.) Look to Jesus!

 

2:17-18—Look to Jesus: Jesus is our Provision/He is our Priest. Jesus is our high priest. As priest, he shares the following with the image of Jesus as a champion: 1) Representation—He represents us (Champion—battle; Priest—before God); 2) He is one of us—both the champion and the high priest are chosen from among the people. He is like us in every respect, except for sin. In fact, it was necessary for him to be like us. The necessity of the Incarnation required for Jesus to be like the rest of us “in every respect.” Only by standing with us in human solidarity could the exalted Son of God be qualified to participate in the life of the people as a merciful and faithful high priest. Only by standing with us in human solidarity could the exalted Son of God provide atonement for his people. Jesus’ Incarnation was the appropriate and necessary means of delivering God’s people from the devil’s tyranny and the fear of death. In doing so, he is our Salvation/Rescue. Jesus is our encouragement because he suffers with and for us—he shares our situation and gives us what we need in the midst of it (Road to Damascus—”Paul, why do you persecute me?”).

Jesus is our encouragement; he shares our situation and gives us what we need in it. When you are afraid, look to Jesus! He shares our situation; He is the source of Rescue/Salvation. Look to Jesus!

 

Conclusion:  Remember: “We must trust to be rescued, but at the same time trust doesn’t guarantee rescue.” 

The mountain of vision is won by no other road than the one covered by thorns. If Jesus suffered, we will no doubt face situations that bring fear. When we face situations that make us afraid, we need to remember that God has provided a pioneer, a brother, a champion, and a rescue in Jesus.

We do not Face these things Alone. Through Jesus we can face any circumstance with the promise that God will work his glory in us. The Goal is Christ like Character (“Christ in you, the Hope of Glory”). Will we trust him?  What does that look like?

 

Application: Hebrews 3:1—Fix your eyes on Jesus

C. S. Lewis memorably portrayed the growing Christian’s experience of an ever-enlarging Christ in his Chronicles of Narnia. Lucy, caught up in her spiritual quest, saw the lion Aslan—Christ—shining white and huge in the moonlight. In a burst of emotion Lucy rushed to him, burying her face in the rich silkiness of his mane, whereupon the great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half-sitting and half-lying between his front paws. He bent forward and touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath was all around her. She gazed up into the large, wise face. “Welcome, child,” he said.  “Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”  “That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.  “Not because you are?”  “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”  His largeness overcomes your trouble; in His suffering and death He secured your victory.

 

This week: 1) Take a hard look at your situation—where are you “suffering”? What are your trials? When the scary situations come along, focus on what Christ has done and is doing. Instead of trusting your circumstances, trust God and his Word.  Rely on him. 

2) Pay attention to God’s Word—it is a mirror to reflect who we are; are we reflecting Jesus? If not, where can we repent? How can we change our focus? (read 2 Kings 2; Psalm 16; Matthew 10; Galatians 5). 

3) Rely on family.  The body of Christ is an extension of our Lord. When in crisis, do not forsake their embrace. Be open, transparent, and ask for help. Do not hide. 

 

Have we caught the excitement and grandeur of this provision for our lives?  Are we living “inglorious” lives in spite of our glorious calling? How enthralled are we at the depth of God’s love and caring for us in providing this “glory”? 

 

Where are we being exposed to testing or trial? When we experience these, how can we remain quiet in Christ’s provision?  How does Jesus as our champion provide encouragement and peace?

 

How can we appropriate the reality of the Incarnation to deal with this fear? Do we really believe that Jesus destroyed the devil’s ability to enslave us to the fear of death? Can anyone tell by looking at how we live?

 

How can you respond to those times in light of this passage? How do you respond when you feel that “no one understands my situation”? How can you allow the reality of Jesus’ flesh and blood experience to explode your consciousness with the confidence created by your Champion and High Priest?

 

Did you ever want to be a hero? (Repost)

 Here is a note I wrote almost 16 years ago, and it rings true today. I hope is blesses you all. 

Heb 11:32-40

“32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38(men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” NASU

There are several stories represented in this passage from Hebrews—stories of daring action, bold attacks, thrilling suspense, and even political intrigue and romance. Read this list above again—these people conquered kingdoms, shut lions’ mouths, quenched fire, became mighty in war, etc.

Remember when you were growing up and you would pretend to be a soldier in a war, or a superhero fighting crime, or a “man alone” against evil? Did you ever dream of conquering kingdoms by yourself? Did you fight the odds? Did you defeat the evil ones with your super powers? Did the “good guys” win the fight?

I remember playing at superheroes and war when I was a child. None of my brothers or friends would choose to lose. We wanted to be the hero, the one who changed the tide of battle so that the “good guys” won. We wanted to perform daring deeds; we wanted to walk with a swagger, to be swashbucklers for good!

We wanted to be John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Captain America. We wanted to be heroes standing against the evil doers!

We wanted to be like those listed here in Hebrews 11. We wanted to be amazing, to be daring, to be bold, to be courageous.

Where are we now?

What kind of heroes have we become at the end?

Where are our tales of daring, of bold actions?

Phillips Brooks says it like this:

“The great danger facing all of us—let me say it again, for one feels it tremendously—is not that we shall make an absolute failure of life, nor that we shall fall into outright viciousness, nor that we shall be terribly unhappy, nor that we shall feel that life has no meaning at all—not these things. The danger is that we may fail to perceive life’s greatest meaning, fall short of its highest good, miss its deepest and most abiding happiness, be unable to render the most needed service, be unconscious of life ablaze with the light of the Presence of God—and be content to have it so—that is the danger. That some day we may wake up and find that always we have been busy with the husks and trappings of life—and have really missed life itself.”

Have I lost my verve for life? Have I lost contact with the One who makes life worth living?

Have I fallen into the danger of complacency and mediocrity? Have I missed that “abundant life” because I forgot how much fun it was to “risk it all” to save someone from evil?

Have I allowed my contact with God to be minimal?

In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Aslan is described in this manner:

“’Safe?’ said Mr. Beaver, ‘Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.’”

God is like that.

He isn’t safe, he isn’t tame . . . in fact, God can be quite wild on occasions.

But he is GOOD.

We have to have contact with him, we have to be intimately attached to him for life to be good.

Oh, life may also be wild on occasions, and it will not always be safe.

But it will be GOOD. . . .

And abundant. . . .

When once we experience this intimacy with God, the hope is that we will become addicted. Addicted to God, what a great idea! As God in Christ fills all of our mundane existence, we will begin to see all of life as sacramental. Why? Because God is in it.

That’s our challenge, isn’t it? To live as though all those things Jesus said were true. As Charlie Peacock has said, we must learn to “live like heaven is a real place.”

May God grant us the grace to do so.

Thanks for reading!

Advent 2023: My Annual Christmas Post--The Mystery of Christmas

 Hello everyone:

I started this blog many years ago, and every year since I have posted a piece I wrote around Christmas in 2003. It kind of sums up for me what is the "Mystery of Christmas" as I meditate on the Incarnation and its implications for humanity (and perhaps for God as well!). The very idea of God becoming "one of us among us" (Immanuel) still fascinates and overwhelms me. 

God, the creator of all things, humbled himself, became of no reputation, and entered his own creation so as to renew and to redeem and to rescue us (and, ultimately, to do these things for all of creation as well). God, the Creator of all things, became flesh so that he might accomplish the plan to make his grace and glory known in humans and in all of creation. 

The One who had no beginning would now have a birthday. The creator would now be like the creature. The One who never knew death would die for sinners. The God who never knew sin would become sin for us. He would break the power of sin, condemn sin in his own flesh, and provide for all of us the rescue we need to become the people God always intended us to be. 

What amazing love! Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! As you celebrate the advent of our King, Jesus the Messiah, I hope you enjoy this rerun. Feel free to make comments if you'd like.

A little over 2000 years ago, a tiny child was born in some pretty bleak conditions. Oh, he wasn’t the only one born in less than optimal conditions. In fact, in some ways, he was one of the lucky ones. He and his mother actually survived childbirth. Still, this story is unique and amazing on several levels.

First, the life of this child would literally change the way time is reckoned in the world. His life and abilities would have such an impact on generations of others that a brand new movement would be created, one that would radically change the very face of the earth (sometimes for good, sometimes not). His name would become recognized among the names of the greatest of humans, yet he never forgot his own humble beginnings or lost a sense of who he was.

The second thing about this child is tied to the first in that this baby, this helpless lad full of spittle and mush, was born as the very Son of God. When Mary held his little head to her breast, he drank human milk. Yet, he was (and is) the God of the universe. Can you picture this simply ridiculous yet somehow poetic scene? God, who calls the stars by name, pressed to the human breast for sustenance. Humble yet awesome, this is how some folks would no doubt recall this child.

A little over 2000 years ago, God proposed that the only remedy for the human condition of sin would be if he humbled himself, stepped out of eternity and into human flesh, and suckled at Mary’s breast in preparation for the greatest, most impressive conversion of all. God, in Mary’s arms, toddling around Joseph’s home, learning to talk, learning to walk, tasting food, and touching things with human hands! As the Psalmist says in Psalm 139, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, we cannot attain to it!”

God knew that the only way to redeem us was if he did it himself. Haven’t you ever had that thought? You know, the one where you say, “If I want something done right, I’ll just have to do it myself?” Imagine God having that thought about bringing us to proper relationship with him. Imagine again that the only way he knew he could do that is if he came to earth as a baby. Think of it—-how vulnerable the almighty God was at that moment, how paradoxical that the God of all creation had to learn to walk! And why did he put himself in this situation? Out of his divine sense of justice and righteousness and mercy, out of his incredible love he acted in this manner.

God humbled himself, even to the point of death on a cross! The living God, incarnate as the Word, would know what it means to die. In a sense, he took on our insanity so that we may be sane. He became flesh so that we might walk in his Spirit. He took our sin so that we might be righteous. He became poor so that we might be rich. He who had the reputation of Creator became a humble servant with no reputation. He became a toddling, dribbling, helpless babe so that we could become mature humans in the image of the almighty Son of God. What wondrous love! What humility and service! How then can anything he asks of us be too difficult?

Father, during this Christmas season, remind us of your sacrifice and love so that we might be a light shining in darkness to others. Teach us to live a life of humble service like your Son did on our behalf so many years ago. As we celebrate the babe in the manger, may the glory he revealed in his life shine through us towards others that they may know God. May the grace of God and the peace of Christ rule in our families and our lives. Amen. 

Thanks for reading! Remember, God became one of us to reach us. He served humbly, what more can he ask of us? To love one another calls for humble service. It is enough.

May you all enjoy a very blessed Christmas!  May you know the blessings of the God who humbled himself and served! 

Sermon: Jesus is the Subject (Hebrews 2:5-9)

I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, Virginia. About a year and a half ago (April 2022) I began a series on Hebrews entitled "Keep your eyes on Jesus." I decided to post the links to the videos for these sermons in case there are those who may want to watch. this is the fourth sermon (from May 29, 2022) which covers Hebrews 2:5-9. The notes are available below, and you can use this link to watch the sermon: Jesus is the Subject. There are some announcements prior to the sermon, so the sermon actually starts around the 5:00 mark. 

Jesus is the Subject—Hebrews 2:5-9

Intro—2:1-4, first warning—against drifting—the danger of slipping away from the word spoken to us in these last days through God's Son Jesus. In chapter 1 Jesus is described as superior to angels.The author reveals Jesus’ superiority to angels so that he can warn us to stay focused on Jesus and Jesus' word without drifting. Now he returns to the contrast between Jesus and angels. He does this by focusing on Jesus as the subject. Jesus is the subject of Hebrews, but he is particularly the focus of 2:5-9.

The writer of Hebrews maintains a persistent focus on the superiority of Jesus as God’s Son. In this passage, he shifts to the historical incident of the incarnation. He brings his discussion to the earthly ministry of the Son of God in these verses.

Five times some version of “subject/subordinate/submit” is used here: verses 5 (once) and 8 (4 times). Psalm 8 is referenced in this passage as a Messianic passage referring specifically to Jesus. Subjection of the world to humanity at creation is the focus of Psalm 8. This authority was to some degree lost (or damaged) by the fall. The incarnation then is presented as the means of reinstating that dominion over the earth.

The main point today is that Jesus is the subject and all things are subject to him.

Heb. 2:5-9: God’s intention for humanity will be realized through Jesus. The central fact that our author shares with his readers is that Jesus is a person who actually shared our situation—the Incarnation gives information about God’s intention and provision for humanity.

Point 1—Jesus, not angels (v. 5)—The world was not subjected to angels but to God’s Son. The author may be responding here to some issues among the Jewish Christians of his church. They may have been thinking, “If the Son of God is greater than the angels, having obtained a more excellent name than they (1:4), then how does this fit with His becoming human, since humans are lower than the angels? Furthermore, how does this fit with His dying on the cross since angels never die? How then is Jesus superior to the angels?” Remember, there was an ancient Jewish belief that God appointed certain angels over particular nations of the world. 

Deuteronomy 32:8 CSB: “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance and divided the human race, he set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel.”

In the book of Daniel, angels are designated as the “prince of Persia” and the “prince of Greece”.  Michael is the “great prince” who watches over the nation of Israel.  The New Testament also echoes this concept. Even Paul mentions the role of supernatural beings in ruling over the earth in Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”

This is a contrast between two worlds. There’s the world to come, and that’s what is explicitly stated in Hebrews 2:5. There is also a future world which will replace this present world. The coming world is not subject to angels, but it will be subject to Jesus.

The author responds by showing that God did not subject the world to come to angels but to man. To support this point, he cites from Psalm 8 (LXX).

The subject is Jesus. The world to come will NOT be subject to angels, but it will be subject to Jesus. Jesus’ authority to rule then is tied up in his role as the Incarnate God and God’s chosen Messiah. The author turns to Psalm 8 to explain how Jesus fulfills what Adam and Eve failed to accomplish. Jesus is the subject and not the angels. Jesus is the subject and not Adam.

Point 2—Jesus, not Adam (vv. 6-8a)—Psalm 8—a psalm of astonishment on the honor God bestows on humanity. God’s intention for the human family: the world subject to the one who has God’s image. This intention was frustrated by human rebellion in Eden.

God’s original intent for humanity was for us to exercise dominion through and with him over his creation. Human destiny has always been higher than angels.

Psalm 8: Notice that the author is quoting the Septuagint rather than from the Hebrew which may explain the apparent discrepancy here. Instead of “a little lower than God,” the Septuagint has “a little lower than the angels.” The author of Hebrews sees first and second Adam in this Psalm. The phrase, “a little lower than the angels,” is ambiguous. It can mean either “by a small degree” or “for a short time.” The former sense fits the psalm as applied to Adam, who lacks the supernatural powers of the angels. The latter sense fits the psalm as applied to the Son of Man, who laid aside His glory for a short time to take on human flesh while on this earth (see Philip E. Hughes, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews [Eerdmans], p. 85).

This Psalm reflects on the high position to which God appointed Adam and Eve, putting them over all creation. Nonetheless, the author adds, “we do not yet see all things subjected to him” (2:8). The unstated but obvious event that overturned humanity’s high position was the fall. God created humans as the apex of His creation, giving them great glory and honor. He gave them a position of authority, to rule over all other creatures. Humanity’s original high position of honor shows how utterly inexcusable the fall was!

Verse 8: The question is, does “him” here refer to humans or to Messiah? It may refer to humanity in the first place, but also beyond humanity to Messiah as the representative Adam (see F. F. Bruce, Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews [Eerdmans], p. 37). As Bruce explains (ibid.), “The writer confesses that it is not easy to recognize in man the being whom the psalmist describes as ‘crowned with glory and honor’ and enjoying dominion over all the works of the Creator’s hands.” But, as he will explain in verse 9, man’s failed purpose is fulfilled in Messiah.

 In verse 9, Hebrews will show that Jesus (the first use of his name in the book, obviously emphasizing His humanity) was crowned with glory and honor because of his death for us. He recovered what humanity lost in the fall. Although God’s original purpose for humanity was lost, it will be recovered through Jesus the Messiah. But how? This position cannot be regained by force, but it must be gained by humility, by obedience, by submission to God. Jesus, not Adam, is the one who will set things right, who will bring humanity to the fulfillment of God’s original intent. It will be Jesus, and not arrogance that will bring this intention to reality. Our last two verses tell us that Jesus is the subject and not arrogance.

Point 3—Jesus, not arrogance (vv. 8b-9)—Jesus will have rule over all things. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s original intention for humanity. In Messiah humanity can realize God’s purpose. Psalm 8 is read as a confession of the dignity of Jesus. However, that reality has not come to pass completely as of yet. God’s intention in its fulness has not been reinstated, even though Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, ascension, and promised return establish the beginning of the fulfillment of this new reign. The reality is that the start is not the completion. So, “we do not yet see everything subjected to him” quite yet.

So what is going on when Christ does not seem to be in control? Here is the reality. Following Jesus often involves some sort of significant sacrifice and even suffering. The reign of God cost Jesus his life, after all! The fact that there is good in the world is a testament to the God who is good. The fact that there is evil in the world is a testament to man’s free will which rebels against the good God. The reign of Jesus has been inaugurated and is already a reality, but we won’t see the full impact until the consummation at the end of the age.

The order of thought here follows Paul’s treatment of Jesus’ humility and glory in Philippians 2:5-11. There, Jesus who existed in the form of God emptied Himself of His glory, took on the form of a servant, and became obedient to death on a cross. Therefore, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name. Hebrews 2:9 reminds us that Jesus tasted death for all of us. To “taste death” means not to nibble at it but to experience death to the fullest degree.

Conclusions from verse 9: In the person of Jesus we see displayed the actual character of our human vocation. Jesus being “a little while” lower than the angels does not call into question his superiority to them. For the first time the author uses the proper name “Jesus.”

Jesus shared in the human condition so that he could taste death for all humans.

Jesus was crowned with glory and honor because he suffered.

Bill Lane—”The exalted Son of God made the human condition, and especially its liability to death, his own in order to achieve for them the glorious destiny designed by God.”

To recap, Messiah's incarnation and death did not in any way imply his inferiority to angels. This is supported by the fact that God ordained that humans will rule angels in the world to come. Psalm 8 shows that this was God’s original intent. That intent was hindered by the fall, but now has been recovered in the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His death, resurrection, exaltation on high, and coming again to reign, we will reign with Him.

Jesus, not angels or Adam or arrogance, is the way to proper relationship to God and to the reinstatement of human dominion under God’s leadership. Jesus is the subject!

Conclusion—How do we respond?         

First, recognize that the present fallen world is not the end of the story. Sin, fallenness, evil, and their accompanying issues are not the end of God’s intention for humanity. So, how do we respond when we encounter frustrations like we do and like we will have until Christ brings us home? We need to develop and maintain an eternal perspective of God’s goal in Messiah so that we can endure our present trials. If Jesus had to suffer first and then enter His glory, so do we. By faith we should see Jesus and marvel at what He did for us and that we are now in Him (2:9). He left the splendor of heaven and not only took on human flesh, but also went to the cross on our behalf! “Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?” (Charles Wesley). We need to focus on him. Jesus, not the world. He is where we need to firmly “tie” our lives and efforts. Take time this week to focus on Jesus. Spend five to ten minutes each day contemplating all the good things Jesus has given in this life and the things he has promised in the life to come.

Second, one of the best ways to see Jesus it to see God’s work through him in the Bible. We see Jesus when we look to his Word. We see Jesus when we open up the Scriptures and the Spirit of Messiah helps us take every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah. We see Jesus when we see in the Scriptures and come to believe that he is the yes, the amen to all of the promises of God. This week, spend some time in these passages to see God’s plan for you in Jesus: Psalm 67. Psalm 97, Revelation 22, John 17, and Ephesians 4.

Thanks for reading!