Partners in Suffering
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Key Verse: “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.” Selected Scripture: |
AT THE CONCLUSION OF our last lesson, we were admonished to listen and heed God’s Word. Today’s lesson begins where we are told that in the age to come, God will not place angels in charge. (Heb. 2:5) Apparently, before the flood, some angels were allowed to help Adam and Eve after they were expelled from the garden. The result was disastrous, causing God to destroy all mankind and beasts, save eight souls.—Gen. 6-7; I Pet. 3:20
Even before the fall, God had in mind the redemption of Adam and his yet unborn race. It had been written in Psalm 8:4-9 and now in our lesson in Hebrews. “What is man [Adam], that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man [mankind], that thou visitest him [will visit during the kingdom]? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels [in intelligence and capacity]; thou crownedst him with glory and honour [perfection of manhood, to be attained during Christ’s thousand year kingdom], and didst set him over the works of thy hands.” (Heb. 2:6,7) This was the original plan of the God of the universe.
“But now we see not yet all things put under him [Adam]. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels [a perfect human being] for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” We thank God for his mercy and grace.—vss. 8,9; Heb. 7:26
Now we see the further plans of God in bringing others of earth, making them his sons, unto glory, and “to make the captain of their salvation perfect [mature] through sufferings.”—Heb. 2:10
In chapter five, verse eight, we read of Jesus, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” Even though he was a perfect human being he learned how to be a “merciful and faithful high priest.”—Heb. 2:17
We understand that it was in God’s plans to call out “a people for his name,” to be associated with Jesus in the bringing back from death the groaning creation. (Acts 15:14; Rom. 8:22) How joyous it is for us to know that we can be associated with our Lord in the blessing of all the families of earth. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10) “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him.”—II Tim. 2:11
The apostle explains that the very one who brought on the death sentence—Satan—will be destroyed by Jesus. (Heb. 2:14) Then all mankind will be delivered from the death sentence.—vs. 15
Jesus did not take on the nature of angels but became the “seed” of Abraham (Gen. 22:18); and we are Abraham’s ‘seed’ and heirs of the promise.—Gal. 3:16,29
We have a merciful High Priest in all things that pertain to God, one who made reconciliation for the sins of the people. Jesus is this great High Priest and we have the privilege to be associated with him, partners in suffering.