The Risen Christ Leads The Way

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Generous God, You provide for my needs and inspire worthy desires. Today, create a fresh desire in me for You.

Read Hebrews 2:10–18

^[10] In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. ^[11] Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. ^[12] He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” ^[13] And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” ^[14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- ^[15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ^[16] For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ^[17] For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ^[18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Meditate

Good Hebrews advice to take on board: “Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word” (Heb. 10:23, The Message).

Think Further

With evil so apparent today, few people would argue that society is getting better spontaneously. In fact, we cannot even imagine that there was an era when Westerners had this expectation. Yet here, as elsewhere in Scripture, we read about the high value God places on the men and women he created and linked together in his image. It was for this reason that Jesus our salvation pioneer entered into our humanity, to lead us back to where we should be.

In verse 10, word “pioneer” (10) evokes many images and possibilities for us who follow. Jesus is the adventure guide carving a path through the jungle. He is Moses leading the way out of Egypt and across the sea to the Promised Land. He is the older brother (so unlike the one in Jesus’ parable) opening the way for his brothers’ and sisters’ participation in an exciting future. He is the high priest, holy though tempted, able to unlock the way to God for us. He is perfect (10) in the sense of an adequate sacrifice for sin and also of having completed his task. He both models and makes possible reaching our full potential.

Death (14,15) is the devil’s final trump card. No wonder people fear it. But it too has been transformed by the One who negotiated it successfully and leads us through it. This week I conducted a funeral for a man full of years who died in Christ and I used the words of verses 9 and 14. His family and friends mourn his loss, of course, but we could also celebrate his resurrection, made possible by the risen Christ who leads the way and is in the place of power. It means a lot to us that Jesus is human yet triumphant over everything that would prevent us attaining our full humanity as God intended it.

Apply

Write a list of your “trials and temptations.” Now put ask the Lord for his help (18) with the sufferings you listed.

Closing prayer

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You suffered like me. Your perfection spurs me on. Release Your indwelling power in me and enable me to walk in victory.

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