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
When we see Jesus, we see the imprint of God's very being here on earth. We see the power of surrender—Jesus stooping to touch the despised, wash feet and bless children. The mystery of our faith and redemption is hidden in Jesus revealing the power of compassion—suffering with, and raising up not by force, but by trust in God's faithfulness alone.
The Bible, start to finish, is a profound discussion—dare I say argument—about power. There is the crumbling of the tower of Babel, the clamor of military might, the cataclysm of mountains shaking, the scream of prophets and the calloused arrogance of the powerful. From the many and various ways we might expect a God of the universe to control, Hebrews turns our focus to a Jesus who sustains with promise and transforms with servant love. Though we don't yet see everything bowing to promise, Jesus turns down force, quiets the volume, calls us sisters and brothers and teaches us to trust.
Prayer
Jesus—still, small voice of God—help us hear you. Free us from the clamor. Open our imaginations to your astonishing power and enable our hearts to trust. Amen.