Devotion • May 16
Today’s Scripture Reading
Hebrews 2:5–18
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet.” Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. (NRSV)
Reflection
The carefully and beautifully written Letter to the Hebrews is remarkable in scope, in no small part because the author weaves numerous allusions and quotations from the Old Testament. Even within our passage today, there are direct references to Psalm 8, Psalm 22, and Isaiah 8 — each of which deals with God’s close relationship to humanity. Yet, the author proclaims, this relationship has been made even closer through Jesus’ time among us. Jesus was not merely God with us. Jesus was us. “He had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect” (2:17) and “because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested” (2:18).
Christ’s suffering was one of the earliest challenges for the church to explain: after all, what are we to make of a Savior and Messiah who suffered and died? Yet, as the author of Hebrews attests, Jesus experiencing the pain of the cross and even suffering death itself has forever united us with God. The question: “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4) has been definitively answered. Through Christ, we not only better know who God is — there is now nothing that can separate us from God’s love.
This truth inspires all that we are and all that we seek to do: living lives defined by faith, hope, and love — overflowing with grace, generosity, and compassion — because in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have been shown what each of those things truly means.
Prayer
Confident in the everlasting love you have shown me in Christ, help me live by your hope, grace, and love, O God, that I may witness to your glory. Amen.
Written by Matt Helms, Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministry
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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