Saturday, October 15, 2016

3 unique claims about Jesus

Read Hebrews 2.

In continuing to present the true identity and superiority of Jesus, the Holy Spirit next guided the writer to how this personally affects us all.  After an admonition in the opening verses that "we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard", chapter two moves from the uniqueness of the person of Christ to the uniqueness of His position.

1. Jesus is the Sovereign of the universe. (vv.5-8)
Notice how exclusive these statements are.  To Jesus, God the Father, has "subjected the world to come" (v.5).  "...putting everything in subjection under his feet...he left nothing outside his control." (v.8)  Yet, it is not all future.  Jesus said in present tense, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matthew 28:18)

The point is this:  Jesus Christ is the One in control.  He has all power and authority over everything.  That is why He is called the LORD.  Therefore, He is worthy of our humble submission.

2. Jesus is the Savior of the world. (vv.9)
He did not die a martyr's death on the cross that day.  Jesus was crucified as our substitute.  He died according to the plan and purposes of God.  "...so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."  Because all have sinned (Romans 3:10-11), Christ died for all.  As the writer will go on to clearly explain in later chapters, the blood of Jesus shed on the cross was the one time, full and final payment for all sin.  Therefore, we have forgiveness solely through receiving that gift.

3. Jesus is the Source of belonging to the family of God. (v.10-18)
He is the "one source" (v.11) of being "sanctified" (set apart) from sin to God's holiness.  As Paul wrote concerning those who have placed their eternal faith in Jesus, "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.  In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14)

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)  As a result, believers become brothers and sisters in Christ (v.11), members of the praise congregation (v.12), and "the children of God" (v.13).  As the resurrected LORD, He is alive today to help believers live for His glory (v.18).

I AM LORD.
I DIED FOR YOU.
I AM WITH YOU.

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