The God-Man In A Manger - header - He Humbled Himself to Help Us

There is a fictitious story about a snake and a boy. The story goes something like this. Many years ago, a strong, young boy climbed to the summit of a nearby snowcapped mountain. When at last he reached the summit, and gazed over the panorama below, he saw something move at his feet. It was a snake and it promptly spoke to him, “I’m about to die,” said the snake, “It’s too cold up here for me and I’m freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Please wrap me around your shirt and take me down to the valley.”

Well, the boy wasn’t stupid. “No!” He said, “I know your kind. You are a snake. I’m not going to pick you up because you’ll bite me and you will kill me.” The boy knew it was a rattlesnake and if he picked it up it would bite him and kill him. “No,” said the snake, “I will treat you differently. If you will do this for me you will be special and I will not harm you.” At last the youth gave into the snakes pleading and tucked the snake under his shirt.

Upon arriving down in the valley, he removed the snake and laid it on the ground where upon the snake immediately coiled, rattled, struck and planted his deadly fangs in the young man’s leg. “But you promised!” said the young man. “You knew what I was when you picked me up,” said the snake as it was slithering away.

Satan Is a Deceiver & Murderer

It is a fictitious story, but when we look at scripture, often times a snake is symbolic of Satan. And just like the rattlesnake in the fictitious story, Satan is a liar. Satan is a deceiver and a murderer. The first time that Satan murdered, he did not do it with a gun. He did not murder with a knife. He did not murder with a rope. He did not murder with a spear or a lance. He murdered with deceptive words.

Genesis 3:1-5 tells us that Satan lied about what God had said. Satan motivated Eve to doubt God. God had said “You can’t eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” and the consequence was that if they ate of the fruit of the tree they would die. Satan said, “Oh no, God’s a liar. God is a deceiver.” “Oh no, that is not true! You will not die!” Satan lured her with words and the result was spiritual and physical death for Eve, then Adam and finally all of humanity. That was the result.

Even though Satan had sinned due to his pride (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-17) and rebelled against God, he wanted revenge. Therefore, he attacked Adam and Eve. He wanted them to die. His lure was words and his goal was death — spiritual death and physical death. So, Satan is a liar and a murderer.

It is important to note that Jesus said in John 8:44 that Satan is a murderer. This reveals that Jesus believed in Satan. Satan is not a murderer in the physical sense. He is a murderer in the spiritual sense, and has been this way since the beginning. If we read 1 John 3:10-12, we are told that Cain murdered Abel, just like Satan. Isn’t that interesting? Cain murdered just like Satan did. Satan is a murderer! He brings death – physical and spiritual death.

In 1 Chronicles 21:2 we are told that Satan motivated David to number Israel. The result was that many of the Israelites died. Once again, we see that Satan is a murderer! In Luke 22:3 we are told that Satan entered Judas and Judas betrayed Jesus. Watch this, Satan he is a liar. He is a deceiver. He is a murderer. His goal is to keep people spiritually dead and cause them to spend eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12-14). That is his goal.

The sad part is that most people do not know that he exists and does not want them to have eternal life. I believe that he is on a campaign of revenge against God. Satan does not like God and he does not like you either!

Lake of Fire - He Humbled Himself to Help Us

Satan Wants You to Join Him

In Mark 4:15 we are told that Satan is the one who steals the Word of God from people so that they do not hear or understand it. In the parable of the sower and the seed, there are seeds that are sown on four different soils. We are told that the evil one, that is Satan, snatches the word away from the first soil. The reason that he snatches the word away is not that he wants us to die physically – No! No! No! Satan wants us to die a spiritual death. That’s what Satan wants. He wants us to die a spiritual death.

In Ezekiel 18:4 we are told the soul that sins will surely die. That is what Satan wants. He has been successful in keeping people from eternal life. He is a master at deception and lies. Satan will continue until Jesus returns. Spiritual death is the sphere in which Satan operates and his goal is not friendship. He is a liar, a deceiver and his goal is to cause every man and woman to die spiritually. That is his goal, and he wants you to join him in eternal punishment. He knows already that is where he is going.

Satan Is Going to the Lake of Fire

Revelation 20:10 tells us that Satan will end up in the lake of fire. The bad news is that Satan is working so that we will join him, although scripture seems to teach that there will not be much interaction there. The lake of fire is a place of darkness, fire and brimstone. It will not be a place that anyone will enjoy. It will not be a place of fun and relaxation. Now you might wonder how does this connect with our study? The answer will become obvious soon.

We have already discovered that the first chapter of Hebrews was about the superiority of Christ. We were taught that Jesus is our creator, our sustainer, our savior, He is greater than the angels and He is our God. That was how chapter one answered the unspoken question, “How important is Christ?”

Our last study was in Hebrews 2:1-4. In that study, we were given a warning, and the warning is that if Jesus is God, if Jesus is greater than the angels, and He is, then you had better listen when He tells you how to escape spiritual death — how to escape what Satan wants for you. That was the opening four verses of chapter two.

The rest of chapter two answers another unspoken question, “Why did God become a man?” Verses 1-4 of chapter two is like a parenthesis or a side comment. Starting in verse 5 the discussion about Jesus and the angels continues from Hebrews 1:14.

Who Will Control the Coming World?

At the very end of Hebrews 1:14 we were asked the question, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” and now the Holy Spirit continues the discussion about angels when he says,

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. Hebrews 2:5 (NASB)

Now there are two important points in this verse that we want to examine. The first point is what does He mean by the “world to come”? Some people have thought that “world to come” refers to heaven. Well, the Greek word for world actually refers to the inhabited earth. Since heaven is not an inhabited earth this phrase is referring to the Messianic kingdom. It is referring to the 1,000 year kingdom that is coming in the future.

And the second point that we want to look at is the phrase, “not to subject to angels.” In the Greek text the word “not” comes first in the sentence. This is important because the most important thought that the author wants to communicate comes first in the Greek sentence. The literal Greek is, “not angels did he subject the world to come.” So, when the word “not” appears first, we are alerted to the fact that the angels are not going to be in control of the world to come.

All Things in Subjection Under His Feet

Therefore, who will be in control? The answer is Christ. The Messianic kingdom will exist for a thousand years and Christ will reign on earth. He will be in  charge of the world to come and we’re told that in verses 6 through 8. These verses quote Psalm 8:4-6.

It has been testified somewhere,
“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor,
putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Hebrews 2:6-8a (NASB)

Now this is great. Notice both Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 9:2-4 remind us that God put man in authority over all of the animals but He did not put everything under man’s control. The angels are not under man’s control. This can only refer to Christ. Notice what the author of Hebrews does in verse 8b.

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. Hebrews 2:8b (NASB)

The Holy Spirit quoted Psalm 8:4-6 in verses 6-8a and now He explains the passage in verse 8b. This is a great example of how to teach the Bible. It is a great pattern for every teacher to follow. First, read the verse and then explain the verse. That was the pattern Nehemiah followed (Nehemiah 8:8). It is the pattern the Holy Spirit follows. He quotes the passage and then starts explaining the passage. The Holy Spirit is the best authority on how to teach the Word of God since He is God and wrote it. Teachers would do well to follow the pattern of the Holy Spirit.

In this example, the Holy Spirit starts at the end of Psalm 8:4-6, and then teaches the passage from the end to the top. For example, verse 8a states, “You have put all things in subjection under his feet” and then the Holy Spirit starts explaining it in the last part of verse 8, “For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to Him.” The Holy Spirit explains who is in control. Men and women are not in control of everything. This can refer only to one person, Jesus Christ. Then we are told, “But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.” This is referring to a future event, the second coming of Christ. I couldn’t help but think about that statement from the standpoint of these Hebrew Christians. Everything wasn’t subjected to just some person when this was written. This is speaking of a future event. The writer of Hebrews says it has not happened yet, but it is coming. That is the message.

Why Does God Love Us Among The Stars of Heaven - He Humbled Himself to Help Us

Lower Than the Angels

Now the book of Hebrews has not specifically stated who the Him is yet, but it does in verse 9. Verse 9 explains with, “But we do see Him,” It is interesting what the author of Hebrews does. He doesn’t identify the Him right away in the preceding verses. The Holy Spirit leaves us hanging until verse 9. He says, “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels,” namely, Jesus. That’s the Him. The Him is Jesus.

But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor . . . Hebrews 2:9 (NASB)

Do you know what the Holy Spirit is doing? He’s explaining the first part of the quote.

In verse 6 we were told, “What is man that you remember him.” What is man? Stop to think for a second. What are we? Scripture says we are like a puff of breath. Scripture says we are just like air. Scripture says that our time is really short. Psalm 90 says that we live a very short life, seventy years, and if we have enough strength then we will live longer and longer. But compared to eternity, we are nothing. We are just absolutely nothing. NASA has estimated that the number of stars in our universe is 10 to the 21st power. That is the number 1 followed by 21 zeroes. That’s how many stars we have. That’s a lot of stars. That’s an incredible number of stars. Just unbelievable, and we’re only one of those. We are insignificant.

Why do you think God is interested in us? Our sun is only one out of a billion, trillion stars in this whole universe and yet God is interested in us. Yesterday, I checked the population of the world. On the internet, you can find a world population counter. I don’t know how accurate it is, but it says that there are 6.7 billion people. And yet Jesus saved you, if you’re a Christian. Out of 6.7 billion people and God is interested in you. There are a billion, trillion stars and there are 6.7 billion people on this planet and yet, God is interested in you. It is amazing that He is interested in us.

The Psalmist says, “What is man, that you remember Him.” We could say it this way, “Why do you even think about man?” “Why do you even care about him?” Well, that’s not what verse 9 is all about. Verse 9 is not about all of us. Verse 9 is about the Him. Who is the Him? The next line says, “Or the son of man, that you are concerned about him.” That’s the Him. The Him is the son of man. “For you have made Him for a little while lower than the angels.” You ask, “How did that happen?”

It happened when Jesus became a man. The man Christ Jesus was made lower than the angels. God became lower than the angels when He took on human flesh, right? And then we were told in Psalm 8, “And you have crowned Him with glory and honor.” But it doesn’t tell us why. Do you see that? It just says, “You have made Him for a little while lower than the angels and you crowned Him with honor and glory” but it doesn’t tell us why. But verse 9 tells us why.

Therefore, let’s read verse 9 again.

But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 (NASB)

We are told that Christ is “crowned him with honor and glory” “because of suffering and death.” He is crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death and the reason He was made lower than the angels was, “. . . so that by the grace of God he might taste death forever.”

Taste Death for Everyone

Now someone might say that the word “taste” sounds funny. They might ask, “Do you mean he just sampled death? Didn’t He actually experience death?” In order to understand what is being said we need to understand the meaning of the Greek word. The word “taste” in the Greek has the idea of “to savor.” It has the idea of all the sensations that go with it.You know what this means? It means that when Jesus died on the cross, He experienced death in the fullest measure. Jesus experienced it all – in the fullest measure Jesus experienced death.

Since God cannot die, God came in human flesh. That human flesh was Jesus and that flesh died. Some years ago, I was asked how can God die. I replied, “He did not die, but his human flesh died. He experienced the pain of dying at that time. He experienced all of that in the fullest. He tasted death and returned to life.”

Perfect Him Through Sufferings - He Humbled Himself to Help Us

To Perfect the Author of Their Salvation

Verse 10 says,

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 (NASB)

The Him here in verse 10 is God the Father. It tells us that God the Father is the creator and owner of everything, “Through whom are all things.” He is also the Sustainer. Isn’t it great that God the Father is the Sustainer? We saw earlier in chapter 1 that Jesus is also the Sustainer. He sustains everything. Once again scripture reminds us that Christ and the Father are both Sustainers. They are the same God. When we are told that the Father did all of this to bring “many sons to glory” we are reminded of His goal. He wants to bring many sons to glory. Christians often forget that God the Father is the one who planned our salvation and predestined us to salvation (Ephesians 1:3-8). Salvation was His idea. This is an important truth. We need to thank the one who planned our salvation.

Next notice that we are told that the Father perfected, “. . . the author of their salvation through suffering.” Now this can be confusing, therefore, pay close attention. You might be thinking, “Does this mean that Christ was not perfect? Does this mean that He had to become holy?” No, He was always God. God was already holy. Later in Hebrews 4:15 we will be told that Jesus never experienced sin. Jesus was without sin. We will be told in 1 Peter that He was and is holy. Jesus was and is holy.

Therefore, the question is, “In what sense was He perfected?” The answer is first found in the gospels where we are told that He obeyed the father. I know that as I was growing up as a child it was hard to obey my parents, and as an adult sometimes I find that the only reason I obey the speed limit is because there may be a policeman nearby who wants to give me a ticket. But it shouldn’t be that way, right? The reason we should obey is because it is the right thing to do. That is why we ought to obey.

How many of you would pay taxes if the government did not tell you to do that? Some of us do it only because we are fearful. There are some things we do because we have to. Jesus obeyed and He did it perfectly from a willing heart. Jesus obeyed because it was the right thing to do and because He wanted to, and not because He had to do it. When Jesus refused to sin, He did it because it was the right thing to do. Jesus was perfect in His obedience. When it says that He learned obedience the statement means that He experienced what it was like to be a human and be perfectly obedient. We will discuss this issue more in weeks to come but not in this study.

So, Jesus learned what it was like to be like us, to suffer, to deal with sin and ultimately experience death. If you recall the very night just before He died, Jesus struggled in agony in the garden of Gethsemane. He pleaded that,

. . . if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me . . .” Matthew 26:39 (NASB)

But then He said, “Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Jesus obeyed even to the point of death. He was the author of our salvation. He was perfected through sufferings. He is our example of perfect obedience even when faced with death.

Before we go any further, notice the first part of verse 10 when it says, “For it was fitting.” The word “fitting” is a very interesting Greek word. Sometimes we do things because we know it’s the right thing to do, but not because we want to do it, right? Now I am talking to mom’s and dad’s for a minute. I am not sure how many dads have changed a diaper even when you did not want to do it. Or, you go to work but you really did not want to. Or moms have cleaned the house but really didn’t want to. Maybe a dad built something that his wife was encouraging him to build but he really didn’t want to. Maybe there is a honey-do list of things that you really do not want to do, but you are going to do them anyway. Maybe on some occasion you actually get angry or a little irritated but you do them anyway, because you know it’s the right thing to do. Well, the word for “fitting” in the Greek has the idea of “proper.” And so, we are told that it was proper for God to perfect the author of our salvation through sufferings. Does it mean that God did it because it was the right thing to do but He really doesn’t want to do it? No, no! He did it because He wanted to do it. He learned perfect obedience when He submitted to suffering on the cross for us.

Jesus Our Sanctifier and The Sanctified

Verse 11 tells us why it was fitting for Jesus to be perfected by sufferings.

For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren . . . Hebrews 2:11 (NASB)

It was fitting because Jesus is our sanctifier. He is our sanctifier and we are the ones who are sanctified. Well, you say what does the word sanctify mean? It means “to make holy or set apart.” At the moment of saving faith every Christian is declared legally holy. Isn’t it great to be holy? The Greek word for holy one is hagios. That’s what you are. You are a holy one. In Jesus, you are a hagios. You are a holy one. This is the work of Christ.

Not Ashamed to Call Us Brethren

Next, we are told that Christ “is not ashamed to call them brethren.” When I thought about the word “ashamed” I remembered an experience I had some years ago at a restaurant here in Tucson. I remember going in and sitting down for breakfast and I saw a homeless man sitting at the counter. I forget what he was eating or drinking but I asked him if he wanted breakfast. He looked at me and had a big surprised look on his face. He said, “Yeah I’d like to have breakfast.” I took an opportunity to share Christ.

And then I went to the waitress and I told the waitress to give the man whatever he wanted, that  I would pay for it. It did not matter what he wanted. I remember that she looked at me kind of funny. For some reason, I became embarrassed. I did not know why I became embarrassed, but I became embarrassed when she looked at me kind of funny. Like, “What kind of nut are you, doing this?” Well I became embarrassed for some reason.

Jesus wasn’t embarrassed to be like us. You say what is the proof? How do we know that? Look at verses 12 and 13. Verse 12 says,

I will proclaim Your name to My brethren,
In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise. Hebrews 2:12 (NASB)

Verse 12 is a quote of Psalm 22:22. Since Psalm 22:16-21 is about rejoicing after the crucifixion, this means that verse 22 is rejoicing about Christ’s resurrection. The rejoicing occurs among the brethren.

Next, verse 13 is a quote of Isaiah 8:17-18.

And again,
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.” Hebrews 2:13 (NASB)

These quotes reveal that Jesus trusted the Father. Jesus walked by faith just as we are urged to walk by faith, only He lived by faith perfectly. These quotes also reveal that Jesus enjoyed being with us. Let’s put it another way. He loved us. He loves us, He cares about us.

Christ On The Cross - He Humbled Himself to Help Us

Render the Death and Devil Powerless

Verse 14 reveals that,

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil . . . Hebrews 2:14 (NASB)

The word for “partook” has the idea that Jesus took of something that was not normally part of Himself. Therefore, when He became like us He took on our flesh and what was the reason?

There are so many “why’s” in this passage. The author does not ask the question “why” but the whys are implied. This passage reminds me of my children. There was a phase that they went through when they would ask a question and I would answer and then I would get another why? Then I would answer and they ask why? I would answer and they would ask why? After a while I would just say, “Well, stop asking why because you are asking so many whys.” That describes this passage. We read it and the Holy Spirit anticipates our question, “Why?” He keeps giving us a therefore, another therefore, here’s the reason, and here is why. We are going from one question to another question, to another answer and to another answer.

Now what was the reason He came in human flesh? Why did He come? So that He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil. We have already made the point earlier, at the very beginning of our study, that the lure of Satan is lies and deceit, and his tool is spiritual death. That is his tool.

1 Corinthians 15:54 answers the question, “How did Christ render the devil powerless?”

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54 (NASB)

When Christ died on the cross and was resurrected Satan’s tool of death was taken away and the devil was rendered powerless. Like a scorpion, the devil’s stinger was removed. Verse 55 adds,

O death, where is your victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55a (NASB)

The answer is there was no victory for death.

O death, Where is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55b (NASB)

The answer is that death no longer has a sting. It’s gone. Look at verse 26,

The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 (NASB)

This verse says the last enemy that will be abolished is death. Before Christ died and was resurrected, everyone was sentenced to eternal spiritual death, but now eternal life is possible by God’s grace through faith. Revelation 20:14 tells us that eventually death will cease to exist. It says,

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14 (NASB)

Jesus’ death has rendered Satan’s tool of death powerless and death will eventually be destroyed.

Romans 16:20 adds that Satan will be crushed too!

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16:20 (NASB)

Therefore, when Jesus came, took on our flesh and died on the cross for us, He defeated death and He defeated Satan. In the future, He is going to finally crush Satan, and destroy death. Satan will live forever in the lake of fire and death will cease to exist. Jesus is going to obliterate both. Do you know what this reveals? It tells us that Jesus is the victor.

Christ Frees Christians From Sin and Death

Hebrews 2:15 answers another unspoken question. The question is, “Who did Christ help?” Verse 15 tells us,

. . . and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:15 (NASB)

Jesus is not only a victor, He is also a liberator. He frees us from slavery to sin and He frees us from spiritual death.

Verse 15 could apply to evil angels or fallen angels who are sentenced to eternity in the lake of fire. Therefore, verse 16 clarifies that Christ did not come to help angels.

For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16 (NASB)

Why did Jesus come? Watch this, Jesus came not to help evil angels or fallen angels which are also called unclean spirits, spirits or demons. He didn’t come to help angels. He came to help you and me. He came to save Jews and Gentiles. He came to save. He is our helper. He humbled Himself to help us.

Conclusion

Verse 17 is the summary of this passage.

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (NASB)

The word “propitiation” has the idea of “satisfying God’s wrath.” Did you know that sinners are going to experience God’s wrath if they do not believe in Jesus Christ? Scriptures tell us that God the Father is angry with our sin. Scripture tells us that those who reject Jesus Christ someday will experience His wrath in its fullest measure and end up in the lake of fire where they will be for eternity

Do you know what Jesus did when He died on the cross? He satisfied the Father’s wrath. Christ enabled us to have peace with Him. Romans 5:1 tells us that Christians have peace with God. I like to ask people “Would you like to have peace with God?” They may not understand that they need peace with God, but they need peace with God because in their sinful condition they are not at peace with God. Jesus had to become a man in order to satisfy the Father’s wrath.

1 John 2:1 is a great passage. It says,

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous . . . 1 John 2:1 (NASB)

That is, Christ defends us from the Father’s wrath. Jesus is our Advocate and every time Satan, the accuser of the brethren, says, “Oh look at that Christian, look at what they’re doing, oh, that is really bad.” Jesus says, “No, I died for that Christian. I died for this Christian. No, you can’t do that.”

He or she is a hagios. They’re sanctified. They are holy ones. There is no sin in his or her life. Now, you say, “Well, but I am still a sinner.” Yes, you are but as far as God the Father is concerned, because of what Jesus did, He only sees you as being holy. That is really wonderful.

Verse 18 now gives us the second part of the conclusion.

For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 (NASB)

This tells us that Jesus is our helper in every way. I’d like to read a statement from Dr. Jay Burn and Magia.

“Although He was the son of God and though He was God Himself, His perfect life does not save us. His virgin birth does not save us. Actually, His teachings do not save us. His miracles do not save us, nor do His examples save us, but it is His death upon the cross that saves us. He was made complete. He reached completeness by dying on the cross. If you could convince me that God has decided to remain aloof for men, and all He did for this lost world was to pitch the Bible down here and as He sits in heaven, He looks down on men and He says, “It is too bad you’re in such a mess, here is a book and I hope you can work it out some way.” And then I’m prepared to turn my back on Him. But that is not what God did. He came down to earth, He took on Himself our humanity, because He suffered and died on the cross, I trust in Him. I love Him because of what He has done for me and all lost mankind.”

That’s what He did. Jesus did that. He did it all for us. Jesus is our creator. He is the author of our salvation. He is our sustainer. Jesus is our sanctifier. Jesus is our sympathizer. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is our helper. But there is another great title for Jesus. He is our merciful and faithful high priest. The word “merciful” has the idea of helping somebody who cannot help themselves. We are not able to help ourselves when it comes to eternal salvation.

Therefore, He really is our merciful high priest. He is also our faithful high priest. Faithful has the idea that He is always there. He is always helpful. He is always there to take care of us. He is always our Advocate. We can always depend on Him. Unlike some of us who make promises and then never keep them, we can always depend on Jesus.

Jesus is our merciful and faithful high priest. He is the one who made the ultimate and final atonement for our sins. In the Old Testament, and in Jesus’ day, a high priest would go into the temple once a year, and make atonement for the sins of the people. He would make atonement for his own sins first. He had to do that year after year after year after year because the sacrifices were imperfect sacrifices. But Jesus. He was the perfect lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and when He died, there is no longer a need for any more sacrifices. He was the ultimate sacrifice for sins.

There’s a very great song that is entitled “Before the Throne of God Above” and I’d like to close with this.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness

 

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