Free Bible Commentary
“Hebrews 2:14-18”
Categories: Hebrews“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The devil is real and the devil is powerful (verse 14). When we fall for his deception and give in to our lusts and choose to sin, we fall under the power of Satan. Our adversary uses the power of sin to secure our spiritual “death” and subject us to the bonds of “slavery” (verse 15). Sin kills us (separates us from God), and enslaves us (holds us captive and powerless to escape).
That is why Jesus came into the world. In one of the greatest and most powerful ironies of all time, Jesus defeated death by His own death (verse 14). What looked like a surefire victory for Satan over Jesus and His efforts to save mankind, turned out to be a crushing defeat for that slanderer (3:15). As Jesus pitifully hung on that old rugged cross, and afterward was laid in that dark, cold tomb, it looked like our King had been vanquished and humanity’s greatest hope had been snuffed out.
If Jesus had stayed dead and His body had remained in the tomb, Satan would have won. But Jesus arose victoriously from the grave and destroyed death and Satan and all the fear that goes along with being a slave to sin. If you belong to Jesus you need never fear death. If you are a faithful Christian, life only gets better after your spirit separates from your body.
Jesus, our “faithful high priest” appeased (made “propitiation” for) God’s wrath that our sins rightly incurred, when He offered himself as the perfect, substitutionary sacrifice. Then He arose from the grave and ascended into heaven and blazed the trail for us to follow. Until we get there, Jesus sits at the right hand of the throne of power and helps us in our times of need and temptation (verse 18). Jesus is not a mere heavenly spectator sitting idly by as we struggle with sin here on earth. He is ready, willing and able to help when we ask, seek and knock.
Please read Hebrews 3:1-6 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
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