Savior Brother

 Isaiah 63:7-9; Hebrews 2:10-18

 Isaiah 63 declares it was no messenger or angel that saved God’s children but he, himself, the presence of Christ that redeemed them – that lifted them up. But how could Christ be present?

We just celebrated the birth of Jesus who became flesh. Hebrews 2 tells us we are like his brothers and sisters. He shared our flesh and blood so that through his death he could free us from sin and bring salvation. In this way he became a merciful and faithful high priest by making a sacrifice of himself to atone for the sins of the people. He is said to be the pioneer – the first of salvation made perfect through his sufferings.

Angels are brought up again in Hebrews but not as possible saviors but to contrast those God helped. It was not angels, but us who have become the brothers and sisters of Christ.

Verse 18 brings out a wonderful benefit to us of Christ’s incarnation – of Christ’s human life. Because he was tested, he is able to help his brothers and sisters who are being tested. Christ by being human didn’t only save us, but he can emphasize with our human needs and emotions. We also have faith that our sufferings on earth can bring us to perfection or what is otherwise called sanctification.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil, he stood up to the temptation and only then did the angels minister to him. Who knows if we have guardian angels keeping us safe, but our great helper is our brother Jesus who knows what it’s like to be tested and will give us the strength to endure.

It’s comforting to know that even when we fail, we can come to our brother the merciful high priest to ask for forgiveness. Thanks to the work of our brother, Christ, we’ve truly become children of God. Amen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Job’s Restoration/David’s Redemption

  Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalms 34:1-8, 19-22   After Job has a long talk from God, Job answers acknowledging his own lack of knowledge compared with God’s. He talks about uttering things he did not understand. Now after hearing and seeing God he repents in dust and ashes. What is his reward for this humility? God not only delivers him from all his troubles, but God restores his fortunes twice as much as he had before. He lives till 140 seeing four generations. In the 34 th Psalm, David praises God for deliverance from trouble. He addresses the myth that the righteous have no troubles – just ask Job. David says in verse 19 that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will rescue them from them all. He brings up the point, however, that God is with us during our struggles. This suffering soul cried out and was heard by God who saved him from every trouble. He tells how the angel of the Lord surrounds those who fear him and delivers them. Verse 8 talks about t...
Read more

Wiping Away Tears

  Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-5a   It was hard choosing which two Lectionary readings to write on this week. The gospel story of the Rising of Lazarus is one of my favorites. But since I’ve touched on that account in the past I was drawn to the Isaiah and Revelation passages that talk about wiping away tears. Isaiah prophecies of a time to come where the Lord of Hosts will make a feast of the best foods for all people. Earlier in verse 4 it tells how the enemies of the Lord will be defeated and the poor, needy, and distressed championed. Then it is said that the Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces and disgrace will be removed. Not only this great feast for all but the Lord will swallow up death forever. Salvation has come to those who have waited on the Lord. Instead of tears they will be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation. In Revelation we have John’s vision of God’s final salvation coming. He sees a new heaven and a new earth. A voice tells him this is the...
Read more

Reverent Submission II

Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10 In the gospel of Mark, James and John ask Jesus if they could have the high status of sitting next to Christ in glory. In answer Christ asks the question of whether they can drink the cup – basically go through the same suffering Jesus will go through and be metaphorically baptized by fire like Christ will be. To this they reply yes. Jesus confirms that they will actually do so – little do they realize what this will mean. However, he can not appoint who will sit next to him, only God can. The other ten disciples when they hear of this arrogance of James and John become angry with them. Jesus turns this into a teaching moment turning the hierarchy of the world upside down. He says he who wants to be great must be a servant. In regard to James and John wanting first place in the seating Christ says who ever wishes to be first must be a slave of all. He hits them with a surprising sentence – something they didn’t expect. It is that he, the Son of Man, ca...
Read more