Saturday 4 January 2025
For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. (v. 11)
Background
The early chapters of the letter to the Hebrews, thought to be written by Saint Paul, provide an excellent summary of the importance of Jesus Christ in God’s plan to redeem the whole world.
Many scholars argue that the letter was probably written to early Christian communities who wanted to return to a more traditional Jewish understanding of God and religion. Chapter 1 deals with the superiority of Jesus over the Jewish prophets. Chapter 2 stresses that Christ was superior to angels, and subsequent chapters cover his superiority to Moses and priests. It may seem simplistic, but the whole letter could be summarised as describing what heights humankind might reach; giving a reality check on the human condition; and emphasising the importance of Jesus as Lord and Saviour in enabling humans to realise their full potential.
Today’s verses provide us with a fitting and majestic end to a week of thinking about 'Christ the Lord'. Verse 10 makes it clear that it was God’s purpose to bring people to glory, and that Jesus is the 'pioneer' – meaning the head, chief or leader – to bring this plan to maturity (perfection).
In order to be such a leader, Jesus needs to lead by example, and this means living among people as a human, subject to the same kind of problems, hopes and suffering. “Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself shared the same things.” (v. 14). The humility of Jesus is affirmed in the words, “…he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.”(v. 16)
The necessary suffering of Jesus, once and for all, is clarified in verse 17. He is to be “a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people”. Chapter 2 ends with those wonderfully helpful and reassuring words: “Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” (v. 18)
Jesus is not only our pioneer, he walks with us; he is alongside us in the shadows, as well as leading us to a promised land. Truly, Jesus is our Lord and we can put our trust in him. He understands our deepest needs because he has lived among us.
To Ponder:
- If we believe that God loves us, it follows that God also loves the environment that enables our lives. What do you believe Jesus may be pointing to today in order to transform life on this beautiful planet? How can you join in?
- God in Jesus has chosen to join in with us in our brokenness. How can we, in turn, do more to honour such commitment from God?
Prayer
"Him the angels all adored, their Maker and their King; tidings of their humbled Lord they now to mortals bring. Emptied of his majesty, of his dazzling glories shorn, being's source begins to be, and God himself is born!" Amen.
(Verse 2 of the hymn 'Glory be to God on high' which sums up the week's theme of 'Christ the Lord' and was once called ”Charles Wesley’s boldest statement of the great mystery of the incarnation.”)
Bible notes author: Michael King
Michael is a Methodist local preacher in Salisbury and was Vice-President of the Conference in 2018.