Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord

This lesson highlights the superiority of Jesus Christ over the provisions of the old covenant. After establishing the fact that Jesus is the Son of God (chapter 1), the writer of Hebrews identifies the Son as Jesus in 2:9. In 3:12 the purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews is revealed as dealing with the issue of Jewish Christians contemplating “departing from the living God,” by forsaking their faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior of sinners. In this lesson, Moses is identified as the one who gave the old covenant, called the “law of Moses” (Luke 2:22; John 1:17); but Jesus is the maker of the new covenant (promise, agreement), which is far “better” (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6).

…….It’s much harder to obey the law when your desires are contrary. Salvation not only shows you the law and sin but also changes your desire to be against sin. The sinner says “I can’t help but do it”, while the saved says “There’s no way I’m gonna do it”. I’m not trading all of this for a little but if that. That’s what Jesus does!

AUTHOR OF OUR SALVATION

A. Jesus Tasted Death for Everyone

Heb 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

……..The Son of God was created higher than any other being, but in a moment of time there was a decision made for Him to come to earth as a man (Jesus) to experience living in temptation and facing trials to show all creation that it is possible to overcome sin! It says “by the grace of God should taste death”. That grace was provision for us through His death. Think about that everlasting grace. The Lord knew it would take 1 death, 1 sacrifice, to save lost souls for all eternity!

Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain (commander, in charge) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

…….”It became Him”. What became Him? That was the decision, that moment when He said enough is enough, I’ll do it! Though I was created to rule all things, I’m bringing myself into submission of a greater mission, to be that ultimate sacrifice.

…….We never know if something works until it is put to use. A tool is never considered a tool unless it’s used. God’s perfection was never understood until He proved himself! Jesus proved that He was and is the captain of perfection through His suffering!

Heb 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth (make holy, purify and consecrate) and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

…….We who were before infidels can now be made one with the most high!

Heb 2:12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

…….The writer in verse 12 explains that Christ will “sing praise unto thee”, or exclaim His proudness about what the church has become because of the mercy of the Father! The Lord is proud of His children! It is a lie from the enemy to feel otherwise!

Heb 2:13  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

…….Matthew Henry’s commentary says this: Christ’s children were given him of the Father, in the counsel of his eternal love, and that covenant of peace which was between them. And they are given to Christ at their conversion. When they take hold of his covenant, then Christ receives them, rules over them, rejoices in them, perfects all their affairs, takes them up to heaven, and there presents them to his Father, Behold, I and the children which thou hast given me.

B. Victory Through Christ’s Death

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

…….It seems like some of the most inspiring Christians come from the worst circumstances.

…….Every person at birth is subject to bondage and that bondage is sin. There is not one person that is born that does not experience temptation, even as children. Though all are “subject to bondage”, all can have deliverance.

Heb 2:16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

…….Though He could have chosen to come as an angel, miraculously sweeping through eradicating sin, He chose to come as a man for the sake of mutual understanding. We can never truthfully say, He doesn’t understand what I’m going through, because He has experienced all.

Heb 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

…….He was born as a Jew and fulfilled all requirements to be a faithful high priest, the only priest who could actually bring people into a personal relationship with God.

Heb 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour (help, relieve) them that are tempted.

…….Have you ever been encouraged in a tough situation by someone who knew nothing about the battle? But then that right person came along and gave a pure sense of direction, and everything seemed like it would be ok? Side note: we wonder why we are exposed to certain trials (why me God) and at times thought it would cause defeat, and then months or even years down the road we understand why it all happened, and we become the encouragement! If He had not overcome, He wouldn’t know how to aid in our overcoming.

GREATER THAN MOSES

A. Faithful Moses Over God’s House

…….To the Jews, Moses was the greatest prophet and messenger of God; the man who gave Israel the law and organized the 12 tribes of Israel into one united nation under God. With this in mind, the writer of Hebrews made the bold assertion that Jesus was and is superior to Moses.

Heb 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Heb 3:2  Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Heb 3:3  For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

Heb 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

…….Though it might be difficult to take in, the Jews must understand that Jesus is much greater than Moses. Not only is He greater, He must be known as creator. Though Moses in all his faithfulness and obedience to the Lord, bridging the gap of slavery and bondage, escorting freedom to those who trusted to follow him out of Egypt, still was no comparison to the one who created him and his ministry. The builder is and has to be counted more worthy than the building itself. The building can not perfect itself, only the builder can! Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me (never can we say a particular prophet, apostle, or high priest lives in me): and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

B. In Christ, We Are God’s House

Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Heb 3:6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

…….Although he is worthy of honor and respect, Moses came as a servant. Though Jesus served as an example, He came as a Son (or Prince) in His own house.

…….If the Jews or any other believers in Jesus as the Messiah abandon Him, they will cease to be members of the household of God. “If” we hold fast! Galatians 6:9  And let us not be weary (faint, weak) in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, “if” we faint not. It’s never too late to become more committed, more devoted, and more on fire for the Lord! We can not live insecurely (deficient in assurance), feeding off crumbs and stale water. Jesus is too available to settle for tid bits!

GIVER OF REST

A. Do Not Quit Now

Heb 3:12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Heb 3:13  But exhort (comfort, intreat; ask) one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

…….We have to finish the way we started!

Heb 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (irritation).

…….Don’t let the trial defeat you!

Heb 3:16  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

Heb 3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

Heb 3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

…….Just as the generations that were prevented in the wilderness, the same will happen to all who lose the faith and become hardened in unbelief.

B. Rest for the Faithful

Heb 4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Heb 4:3  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

…….There are two sides to the same gospel – blessing and judgment. For those who remain faithful to Christ, an eternity of blissful rest is waiting, a place where we will no longer have to labor to overcome the tests of our faith in this life. On the other hand, for the unbeliever with a hard heart, there is no rest for the soul, not in this life nor in his or her continuing existence after death. Our decision regarding Christ brings either our salvation or our condemnation (John 3:16–19). It is wise to believe in Jesus Christ, and to never stop believing in Him.