Hebrews 2:10-18

I. THE SUFFERING OF JESUS WAS FITTING

Hebrews 2:10 – “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.”

“Fitting,” Gk. πρέπω (prepō), “that which is proper, right, or appropriate”
1 Pet. 3:18
Rev. 13:8

Hebrews 2:11 – “For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.”

“Sanctify,” Gk. ἁγιάζω (hagiazō), “to set apart or consecrate”

Translation of Hebrews 2:11 – “For he who makes holy and those who have been made holy all have one source.”

“one,” Gk. ἑνὸς (henos): masculine or neuter
Masculine: The Father
Neuter: Humanity (Adam)

Hebrews 2:12-13 – “Saying, ‘I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.’ 13 And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Behold, I and the children God has given me.’”

v.12: Psalm 22:22
v.13: Isaiah 8:17-18

II. THE SUFFERING OF JESUS WAS EFFECTIVE

a. It broke the devil’s power of death (2:14)

Hebrews 2:14 – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”

Truth: Satan sought to devour Jesus in death and yet it was through death that Jesus destroyed Satan.

b. It freed us from fear of death (2:15)

Hebrews 2:15 – “…and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
Matt. 10:28

Sir. 40:1-2 – “Great travail is created for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother’s womb, until the day that they return to the mother of all things. 2 Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, troubles their thoughts, and causes fear of heart.”

Rev. 1:18

Hebrews 2:16 – “For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.”

c. It made propitiation for our sins (2:17)

Hebrews 2:17 – “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

Propitiation: A sacrifice that satisfies the wrath of God.

Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

d. It equips him to help the tempted (2:18)

Hebrews 2:18 – “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Simone Weil: “The extreme greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that it does not seek a supernatural remedy for suffering but a supernatural use for it.”

TAKEAWAYS

1. You (probably) need to reframe what suffering means.
2. You (probably) need to reframe what suffering means for you in Christ.

Instead of asking: “Why did God let this happen?”

Ask: “What is God going to accomplishing through this?”

COMMUNION

1. This is a practice for believers
2. This is a practice that demands self-examination (1 Cor. 11:27-29)

a. The Bread

1 Cor. 11:23-24 – “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’”

b. The Cup

1 Cor. 11:25-26 – “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”