John N N Nganga Meditation Of 30th September 2024 Hebrews 2:1 - – 18 – Christ’s mission on earth was to rescue us from the fear of death which no one else could do
Day 1
Hebrews 2
3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him
The book of Hebrews is a very important book if you are going to understand the difference between the Old and the New Testament. You will not understand the book of Hebrews well if you have not read the book of Leviticus, and you will not understand the book of Leviticus as well if you have not read the book of Hebrews. That is why we keep saying the Bible is one—66 books equal to one book.
As we saw earlier, this is a letter, or in old English, an epistle, and it is written to Jews everywhere. The writer, as we have been saying, is generally believed to be Paul, but not everyone accepts that reasoning. They argue that the vocabulary in the book is a little different from Paul’s other letters, and therefore, the style is different.
Of course, their assumption is that an author cannot change their style. They also argue that teachings about faith, justification, reconciliation, and the focus on Christ are not Paul’s usual topics, as if he cannot address topics he has not covered before. So, the arguments do not necessarily add up, and you cannot definitively claim it is not Paul.
Some say that the book of Hebrews reads more like a sermon than a letter. Paul is trying to convince the Jews of the authenticity of Christianity and the authority of Christ. However, the book is not explicitly addressed to the Hebrews, as we do not find this in the letter itself. Therefore, you cannot say it is only for the Hebrews, but the message assumes that the reader is familiar with the Old Testament before reading Hebrews.
Day 2
Hebrews 2
5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.
Do you actually believe the whole Bible? If you do, then I think the book of Hebrews will help synthesize the message of both the Old and the New Testaments. The main argument of the writer is that Jesus is both a King and a priestly Messiah. In other words, He came to act as a Priest and sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is depicted as the complete revelation of God’s purpose. When God wanted humankind to understand what He desires and who He is, He sent Jesus.
After He completed what He came to do, He now serves in heaven as an eternal High Priest and Mediator for humanity. Because He lived as a man, He can now represent humanity. This is an important aspect discussed in the letter. As we have mentioned, some people argue that since it might not be Paul, then who could the author be? Some suggest it could be Barnabas, since Barnabas was with Paul frequently. They argue that Barnabas may have written similarly but with a different style of writing.
Others say it could have been someone like Priscilla or even Apollos. It is also possible that it was written by an anonymous Christian scholar other than those we know. However, for the book to be included in the New Testament, the early church connected it with Paul the Apostle.
Whoever the author is, they are clearly a scholar acquainted with the Greek versions of the Bible, specifically the Hebrew Bible, which is the Old Testament. The writer is also familiar with Greek philosophy, as evidenced by the way they present their arguments, even while addressing a Jewish audience.
Where was it written? When the writer says in Hebrews 13:24, "Those from Italy send you greetings," isn’t it implied that the book was written from Rome? Rome is in Italy. If the author was Paul, it would be quite appropriate, as it could be one of the letters he wrote while imprisoned in Rome. Some people, however, argue that it might have been written in Alexandria, Egypt, or even Palestine. But they would have to explain the phrase: "Those from Italy send you greetings." Rome was the centre of the Roman Empire, so it is quite possible that the letter was written there.
Day 3
Hebrews 2
8 and put everything under their feet.”[b][c]
In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e]
When was it written? Around AD 65 seems like a good estimate. But of course, it could have been later than AD 65, though it certainly must have been in the first century or within the first hundred years of Christianity.
When you read the book, what do you hear about the view of the universe? It presents a view in which earthly events and human institutions are seen as reflections of invisible heavenly realities. This is the message of the book of Hebrews. What you see happening on the ground may be a manifestation of something happening in the spiritual world. The writer assumes that the two worlds—the spiritual and the physical—exist simultaneously and work together. The eternal and perfect realm of the spirit, which we call heaven or ‘above,’ runs concurrently with the inferior, constantly changing world we physically live in. The two worlds coexist at all times: one is inferior, while the other is superior. This concept is influenced by Platonic thought.
In the book of Hebrews, the author attempts to show how Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross links the two opposing realms of perishable matter and eternal spirit. In Christ, you have one who was physically born yet without the seed of a man, creating a connection between the spiritual and physical worlds. The inferior physical world is linked to Christ, and that is something important to consider.
In fairness, that is also the message of the Bible as a whole: the two worlds operate together. You can see this throughout the New Testament. We talk about Jesus being a heavenly priest, but He is also serving as the everlasting mediator between God and humanity in heaven because He Himself lived physically among us.
According to the author of this book, the Hebrew Scriptures are not merely a record of Israel’s history. As you read them, you are not just reading history; you are reading God’s Word. And I think that is the point. The author quotes the Old Testament, not just as history, but as containing a very clear message.
Earthly events symbolize heavenly realities, according to this writer. So, when you see the Ark or the Temple, they represent something in heaven. The concepts are heavenly, so you must keep in mind that these two perspectives—earthly and heavenly—are always present together.
The writer says that Christ is the final and complete revelation of God’s will in Hebrews 1:1-4. So, when you ask, "What is the main argument of the book of Hebrews?" It is that in Jesus, we find the final and complete revelation of God’s will. Hebrews suggests that, on the basis of your faith in Christ, you must be ready to suffer for that faith. You should be prepared to endure suffering for what you believe. You are not allowed to be indifferent or apathetic to the teachings of the book.
Day 4
Hebrews 2
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—
So that is the introduction to the book.
From verse five of chapter one, and for the next three chapters, up to chapter four, verse sixteen, we are introduced to the image of Christ as the image of God. We are shown that He is superior to all other human and even heavenly beings. This is the argument for the next three chapters, up to chapter four.
Next, Jesus’ role as a Priest-like figure, given according to the order of Melchizedek, is introduced in chapter five. This argument continues all the way to chapter 10, emphasizing the priestly role of Christ in that high order.
From chapter 11 to chapter 13, we see the need for believers to act on faith in unseen realities. Your physical practice should be based on these unseen realities. In this way, you embrace the biblical figures, for they also lived by faith, not just by sight.
So, if you were to divide the book into three parts, it would be:
- The introduction,
- Christ as the image of God and His priestly duties, which are far superior to any other,
- Then, the challenge to the believers to live out what they have been taught.
Perhaps the conclusion in chapter 13 may be an addition to the book, and you see in that section even a reference to Timothy.
Thus, we have seen that Christ is superior to all other beings. Why? Because Christ is the perfect image of God, the exact representation of the Godhead. Look at chapter 1, verse 3: he is the exact imprint of God’s very being. So, when you see Christ, you have seen the Father, you have seen God. No one else in heaven or on earth has that kind of representation. Therefore, He is superior to all biblical angels, prophets, humans, and even wise men. He is not in their category at all. As we have seen earlier, He is also superior to all the priests that we know of.
Day 5
Hebrews2
18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
So, following the Davidic line, we know that Jesus is the Messiah King, but He also has eternal, high priestly duties. Christ is both a King and a Priest. You see this in the story of Abraham and Melchizedek in Genesis 14, where Melchizedek is introduced as both a King and a Priest. This sets the stage for Christ as both King and Priest.
We are told that Abraham paid Melchizedek a tenth of his spoils from his successful war, which is similar to tithing. Melchizedek is described as without beginning or end. This is the nature we also see in Christ. Melchizedek is a king of righteousness, a king of peace, and an eternal priest, which is quite similar to who Christ is. Melchizedek was superior, not only to Abraham but also to Abraham’s Levitical priesthood, and Christ is superior to everyone.
So, that is who Christ is—like Melchizedek, a King and Priest. Christ’s priesthood is sinless, whereas human priests fall into sin. Not Christ. Christ is deathless; even when He died, He rose again, confirming His divine oath. His priesthood is of a much higher level.
In chapter 7, we learn that this priesthood endures forever. And in chapter 8 of Hebrews, we learn that Christ’s priesthood surpasses that of the Levites. In the process, you could say that Israel’s earthly sacrifices and worship are just reflections—copies of invisible heavenly realities. In other words, the Israelites were performing rituals that were ordered and carried out in heaven. This is one way of understanding the arguments in the book of Hebrews.
In Leviticus chapter 16, the high priest enters the temple’s Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to make a sacrifice, but these sacrifices are imperfect compared to Christ’s. Why? Because they were made annually and did not accomplish permanent cleansing. The sacrifices had to be made year after year. But Christ, on the other hand, has entered the heavenly temple where He does not go in and out, and He does not die every day. This shows how superior Christ’s priesthood truly is.
Christ made Himself the sacrifice—the one sacrifice, given once and for all time. Therefore, there is no need for further sacrifices in the earthly sanctuary. We can never do anything else to please God. All we need is to pray to Him and talk to Him on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice. We do not have to physically give or kill anything, because Christ has already given something far superior. And that is something we must take seriously.
What then? I think the book of Hebrews is suggesting that there can be no other religion or way of life that pleases God, because He has offered the very best in Christ Jesus. If you are a Jew in Judaism, when you come to Christ, you come to something better. Christ’s sacrifice is superior to the sacrifices of the Levitical priesthood.
Christ’s death inaugurates a new covenant. Jesus Christ is both the Priest and the Sacrifice. His sacrifice is ratified by His own blood. Of course, the Levitical priests also shed blood, but it was the blood of goats. The old law required repeated annual sacrifices because they could not remove sin, and people continued to sin. But now we have one sacrifice—Christ—and no longer require any other sacrifice after that.
Day 6
Hebrews 2
You made them a little[a] lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor
So, if you benefit from Christ’s everlasting sacrifice, you are allowed to hope, like Him, to enter the heavenly sanctuary. There will be judgment. Christians should adhere to true religious requirements because the day of judgment is near. But there is no need to worry. You need to understand that whatever could condemn you or make you fear that judgment has been fully paid for at the cross. And I think this is what you need to keep in mind as you live, so you are encouraged in your desire to walk with the Lord. You are encouraged to trust Him because you now know He is a Priest who can meet all your needs at a much higher level than anyone else. Even your pastor cannot claim to be in the same position as Christ, because, as we see, He is at such a high level that nothing else compares. When you come to Christ and accept His gift on the cross, nothing else matters.
We could therefore say that Christianity is the only accepted way of life, as the Bible teaches. It is the fulfillment of everything we learn from Judaism. No wonder Christ’s sacrifice is superior in every way.
My prayer is that as you reflect on this, you will give yourself more fully to God in every aspect of your life today.
Hebrews 2:5–6: "It is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: ‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?’"
In verse 5, it speaks of the superiority of Christ over the angels. It says, "For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’?" The answer is none. Or again, "I will be His Father, and He will be my Son." Not a single angel was told that. And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, "Let all God’s angels worship Him." Angels do not worship each other, so Christ cannot be an angel Himself.
Day 7
Hebrews 2:7 – 9
You made them a little lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
and put everything under their feet.
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present, we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death so that by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone.
You know, in speaking of the angels, He says in verse 7, "He makes His angels spirits and His servants flames of fire." But when He is now talking about the Son, He says, "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore, God, Your God, has set You above Your companions by anointing You with the oil of joy" — that is Christ.
And finally, Hebrews 1 finishes by saying, "In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain. They will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment, they will be changed. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end." But to which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enaemies a footstool for your feet"? The answer is none. Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
So, it is implied that you should not try to think of anything or anyone else that can meet or cover your sin. Christ is at the higher level. That is the message of Hebrews and the message of the portion of Scripture we have read. Which of the angels or which other person did He say this to? The answer is none. Only Christ. As the book of Acts 4:12 says:
Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
So, the book of Hebrews meticulously brings us to the point where we accept that there is no other way, no other sacrifice, and no other possibility of a savior. Christ is all. When we come to Him, we cannot come to Him plus something else or come to Him minus some aspects of Him. We must come to Him as the only One who:
- Can meet all our sins and cover them.
- Can give us hope.
- Can give us peace.
No one else can give us that.
So, if you really want to enjoy your life here on earth and your life in heaven, you need to submit yourself to Christ and accept Him as the only Savior and live to honor Him every day of your life.
That is the message of the book of Hebrews.
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