Jesus Stands With Us Series

January 19, 2003

First Church of the Brethren

H. Kevin Derr

Hebrews 2:10-18

“Jesus stands with us”

10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through

whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through

suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same

family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says, “I will declare your name

to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”13And again,

“I will put my trust in him. And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given

me.”

14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by

his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—15and free

those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not

angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his

brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in

service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he

himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

As we look further into the world of the first century church, through the lense of

primarily Jewish believers, we find God’s action to save humanity in and through Christ Jesus.

With the authority of Jesus established in our previous weeks, we find here the action of God in

Jesus himself. Remember, it was just in the previous section, 2:1-7, that the Son of God is

identified as Jesus of Nazareth. Now, it is Jesus who is the one who blazes the trail for humanity

to be reunited with the Living God.

This is done by the divine champion, Christ Jesus, who breaks the bonds of humanity, so

that we can live and live in relationship with the Living God. It is not done by supernatural

power, but it is done by obedience to the will of God by one man, the Son of God who is Jesus.

This is why Jesus was made a little lower than the angles, and is now exalted to the right hand of

the Living God.

I. It is God who takes action, it is God who is our salvation, our savior. This at times sounds

strange to our ears. We are accustomed to speaking of Jesus as Savior and Lord. Yet, it is

seen here in Hebrews, the old tradition of the people of God, that God himself is the Savior.

A. 10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through

whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect

through suffering.

1. “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God”

A. God is bringing many children to glory, God is doing this, but what

exactly is he doing?

1. What does it mean to bring a child to glory?

A. It could mean that those who were not in relationship

with God are now in relationship with God. Yet, the

Hebrew tradition was one of relationship to God.

B. I suppose we could argue for a new type of relationship

with God, but that seems to be a weak argument

2. So what could it suggest? I would argue for a victory over

death, that we can expect to go to God, just as Jesus did.

A. Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God, he has

been glorified

B. But the path to that glory was not one that is easily

walked, it involved deep suffering and pain, not for

himself but for others

2. God is identified here as, the one “for whom and through whom everything

exists,”

A. We are given a unique expression here, it only appears in Hebrews,

through you will find it in other period Hebrew literature.

B. And yet, what the author of Hebrews reminds us of is this, that creation

Is not an accident, nor is it here for itself, all that is exists because of

God, and is sustained and upheld by God, and it is ultimately, not for

us, or anyone else, but God himself.

1. We have been entrusted as stewards of creation, not as owners

of creation. We are here to care for God’s creation, not to use it

for our own ends. It would serve us well to remember this

simple truth.

3. This is not the point of our conversation, it is a reminder included for us, but it

is not the focus. What is the focus of this verse, it was fitting that God should