Hebrews 2

"BUT WE SEE JESUS…"Hebrews 2:9

THE LAST IMAGE FOR 2000

We have come to the last Sunday of 2000. We have also come to the last day of the year 2000. What is the last image that you will have in your mind as you close the year?

We celebrated Christmas only last week. We remembered how our precious Lord came into the world and was made flesh. What a mystery it is to think of Christ as God Incarnate.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9). Take time to read Hebrews 2:9-18 and enjoy the breathtaking description of what the Lord Jesus Christ came to do.

THE IMAGE OF A SUFFERING SAVIOUR

The Lord Jesus knew and accepted that He must endure suffering. He saw beyond mere suffering, even though that suffering led to His death. How was He able to accept death so easily?

1. His dying on the Cross of Calvary was not for Himself. It was "for everyone" (Heb. 2:9).
   
   
2. In order to bring many sons to glory, he being the captain had to accept and endure suffering (Heb. 2:10).
   
   
3. He endured everything for the sake of His "brethren" (Heb. 2:11). He is not ashamed to call us His brethren, though we do not deserve to be regarded as such.
   
   
4. Through His death, and only through His death, could He defeat and "destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil" (Heb. 2:14).

Let us hold this image of the Suffering Saviour close to our hearts. Let us set aside a little time before this year ends, to draw closer to the Lord. Let us offer Him our gratitude. Let us offer Him words of deep appreciation and love for the salvation He has brought us. He paid for that salvation with His very life.

HAD THE LORD JESUS NOT COME

Have you thought about what life would have been like, had the Lord Jesus not come to earth?

1. We would have remained in deep fear of the power of death (Heb. 2:15).
   
   
2. We would have continued to be in bondage to the devil for our whole lifetime (Heb. 2:15).
   
   
3. We would not have been able to make propitiation for our sins (Heb. 2:17).
   
   
4. We would never be called "sons of glory" (Heb. 2:10).
   
   
5. We would not have been able to receive aid in times of temptation and testings (Heb. 2:18).

What if the Lord Jesus had not come to earth to be our Saviour? We would be of men most miserable. We would have been totally crushed in heart and mind. We would have been mercilessly assaulted by the powers of the devil.

A MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST

How wonderful it is to end the year on this note. We have a "merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God" (Heb. 2:17). Surely our meditation on the Ministry of the Lord Jesus as our Merciful and Faithful High Priest must cause us to love and appreciate Him so much more.

Let us plan to come to this merciful and faithful High Priest in prayer. There are surely many needs in life that have been such a burden on our hearts. We sometimes burden ourselves unnecessarily. Let our meditation on the Lord's Word in Hebrews 2 lead us to a closer walk with our precious Saviour.

Who knows what 2001 will be like? Will there be more pain? Will there be more suffering? Will there be death? We need not fear anything at all, when we are able to trust the Lord Jesus as our merciful and faithful High Priest. Let us conclude this year on a strong note of gratitude and praise.