2 Transformations Declared
Hebrews 2: 5 - 18
Review
•Tradition says Paul is the author… problem Hebrews not open like
Paul’s other writing but ends like Paul’s
•Hebrews could be a written recording of Paul’s sermon – so
different from his normal letters
•Written to Jewish & Gentile Christians in Roman Empire
•Chapter 1 = God’s FINAL Word – Jesus! Jesus IS God! Ex: The sun
and sunrays
•Chapter 2: 1 –4 = Pay Attention –So Great a Salvation!
Hebrews 2: 5 –18 “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”
V5 – 8: The author emphasizes God’s focus is on mankind –
not angels. The author quotes from Psalms 8: 4 –6,
“What are mere (simple) mortals (humans) that You are
mindful of them, human beings that You care for them?
You made them (humans) a little lower than the angels,
You crowned them with glory and honor and put
everything under their feet.”
Hebrews 2: 8 and Genesis 1: 28
Gen 1: 28, “God blessed them (Adam and Eve) and said to
them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth
and subdue it (take care of and be stewards of it).’”
Heb. 2: 8, “God left nothing that is not subject to them…
Yet at the present…not everything is subject to them.”
What caused the change from what God said to what we
see now?
The writer says look at how God is bringing all
things back…
V9, “But we see Jesus…
•Who made Himself lower than the angels for a little while,
•Now He is crowned with glory and honor because He suffered
death
•So, by the grace of God, He tasted death for everyone”
V10, “He is the pioneer (Creator and Active Agent) of salvation
through His suffering…”
Now Family!
V11, “Both the One Who makes people holy (Jesus) and those who
are made holy (the believers) are of the same family…Jesus is not
ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
V12, quotes Psalms 22:22, “I will declare Your name to brothers and
sisters; in the assembly I will sing Your praises.”
V13, “I will put my trust in Him…” quotes Isaiah 8:17 and 18, “Here
am I (Isaiah), and the children God has given me. We are signs and
symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty….” Isaiah prophecies of
Assyria’s captivity (almost 200 yrs before)
V14, “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too
shared in their humanity…”
V14, “So by His death He broke the power of him (the devil) who held
the power of death …
V15, “and freed those who all their lives were held in slavery by their
dear of death.”
I Cor 15: 22, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
I Cor 15: 54 – 57, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O
death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death
is sin, and the power of sin is the law. BUT thanks be to God! He gives
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
V16, “It is not to angels He helps…” Salvation is for mankind,
Abraham’s descendants – those who walk in obedience and faith
V17, “He (Jesus) became human, in every way, so He could become
a merciful and faithful High Priest –One Who atones for sins the
service to God.” Jesus atones (pays the debt, scrubs clean) for our
sins!
V18, “Because He suffered temptations, He is able to help us who
are being tempted.” He was tempted in all ways we are tempted,
BUT did not sin! And now is able to HELP us!
A Promise:
I Cor 10: 13, “No temptation has overtaken you
except what is common to us all. And God is
faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond
what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
He will also provide a way out so that you can
endure it!”
Summary:
•Salvation is for mankind – “What is mere man that You
would care for him.” Ps. 8
•Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters –we are now
FAMILY
•Jesus came to break the power of death and sin!
•He became human in every way so He could be our
High Priest –full of mercy and faithfulness
•He suffered temptations so He is could help us!
Two Transitions:
•The Word of God became human, then died, rose
again, conquered death and sin, now sits at the right
hand of God –crowned in glory –waiting to return to
establish His eternal Kingdom
•The human race created in His image, sinned, lives
broken and sinful, redeemed by Jesus’ sacrifice,
called servants, then friends, and now Family –His
brothers and sisters!
