hebrews 2

Read Hebrews 2 at Bible Gateway.

Heb 2:6-18 chiastic structure:

1a) Heb 2:6-9, Jesus, the Son of man, who tasted the suffering of death for everyone;

1a) Heb 2:6-7, “What is man or the son of man that You take care of him/ You made him little lower than the angels + crowned him with glory, honor;
1b) Heb 2:8a, You have put all things in subjection under his feet;
1c) Heb 2:8b, For in that He put all in subjection under him;
2c) Heb 2:8c, He left nothing that is not put under him;
2b) Heb 2:8d, But now we do not yet see all things put under him;
2a) Heb 2:9, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory + honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone;

central axis) Heb 2:10a, For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things;

2a) Heb 2:10b-18, Jesus, man’s Brother, who suffered in temptations to sanctify those who are tempted;

1a.1) Heb 2:10b, In bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings;
1a.2) Heb 2:11a, For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one;
1b) Heb 2:11b-13, He is not ashamed to call them brethren;

1a) Heb 2:11b-12, He is not ashamed to call them brethren/ I declare Your name to My brethren;
central axis) Heb 2:13a, And again: “I will put My trust in Him;”
2a) Heb 2:13b, And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me;”

1c) Heb 2:14a, As the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same;
1d) Heb 2:14b, That through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;
2d) Heb 2:15, And release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage;
2c) Heb 2:16, For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham;
2b) Heb 2:17,  In all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful + faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people;
2a.1) Heb 2:18a, For in that He Himself has suffered;
2a.2) Heb 2:18b, Being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Let’s just think about this for a minute. The Creator and Ruler of the universe put on flesh and blood for our sake, so that He might:

• Know through experience the struggle of being flesh and blood, so that He might remain merciful and faithful (not that I believe His mercy or faithfulness would ever waver, but so that we might trust in the extent of His mercy and faithfulness);
• Experience death as we all must experience death, but to the purpose of destroying the power of death and the devil who wields the power of death;
• Release us from the bondage of the fear of death … for because of His death which made propitiation for us, our death cannot hurt us any longer, but only opens the door for us to enter into greater life and greater glory;
• Suffer temptation so that we might trust in His desire and ability to aid us, not punish us, in our temptations and weaknesses, thereby providing practical sanctification, which is doing righteously in our works, instead of wickedly or sinfully.

When we are faced with a test or temptation, our first instinct is often to hide ourselves as Adam did in the Garden, when he faced his first test and temptation, and failed. But the Creator and Ruler of the universe, in being made like us in all things, knows and understands the pain and difficulty of facing tests and temptations, having faced them Himself, but without sin. This is to encourage us to run to Him instead of away of from Him, for He has aid waiting for us from the throne of grace, mercy to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16).

I have known and understood these things for 50 years, but it never ceases to amaze me, when I am reminded of them!