Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, Verse 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. Verse 3He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Verse 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Verse 5Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. Verse 6But someone has testified somewhere, "What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? Verse 7You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, Verse 8subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, Verse 9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Verse 10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Verse 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, Verse 12saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."
Devotion
The Epistle of Hebrews celebrates that God is not some distant God, but one who in Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth, not as a guest or tourist, but as fully human on a mission to be with humanity. By his suffering, death and resurrection, he gave his all so that all might have life and live courageously by his hope-filled example.
The first audience of Hebrews included members who had been persecuted and killed by Imperial Rome. With its very high and royal understanding of Jesus, this letter gave hope to those whose main encounter with the powerful of the time was a temptation to lose hope. God’s holy Son, Jesus, was an inspiration to live in hope and to remain connected to God. All the worldly things around them, destined to pass away, only paled in comparison to the eternal example of Jesus, their resurrected Lord, whose life and example remain just as powerful and hope-filled for us today.
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you that you care so much for the human community that you sent your only Son Jesus to bring hope and courage into our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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