An Exposition
Hebrews 2:14-18: “The High Office of Jesus Christ”
“In as much then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all in their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:14-18, NKJV).
I hear people make some of the dumbest statements about the Bible, attacking and mocking it, declaring it to be a collection of myths, fables, and stories of ancient lore without many of them even bothering to crack open the cover and read it for themselves. Not wanting to be opened to the truth that they are sinners in need of a Savior and will be held accountable for their wickedness by God Almighty, they will do everything under the sun to demean and ignore what it says and what it means for them if they neglect their souls (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 12:13-21, 16:19-31; Romans 3:10-18; 2 Corinthians 5:10, 6:2; Hebrews 2:3, 4;12, 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15).
The excuses range from the ridiculous to indifference and hostility, but it all comes down to a great question from a U.S. Senator: “How in the world did these people find their way to the birth canal?”
It saddens and frightens me that people are so indifferent as well as ignorant about where they stand in terms of eternity. The Scriptures do say that this kind of attitude is a sign of the end times, but the thought of what lies ahead for unrepentant humanity is unnerving. After the prophesied rapture of the church (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:55-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10), the judgments of God are going to pour out upon this world relentlessly and continually for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:27). The prophesied man of sin, known as the Antichrist, will take control of a frightened and despairing population that is in a frantic search for leadership and a solution to what is occurring (2 Thess. 2:3; 1 John 2:18, 4:3; Revelation 13).
The devil’s schemes are numerous, but one has kept the ears and eyes of people shut until it is too late; that is to make them think that God does not care about them or their problems, or that He has no idea what we are enduring here in this world, or that they are beyond any kind of hope of reconciliation with God. Here is where the church has dropped the ball.
No one is beyond the reach and compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ while they are still on this side of eternity. The Bible teaches and proclaims that He is God in the Flesh who came to this sin-infested world to take our sins and wickedness upon His sinless flesh. He offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice that no burnt offering given by a priest of Israel or self-induced act of penance could ever accomplish. While we were sinners and enemies of God, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-11), our penalty paid in full, to never be separated from Him in this life or the next (John 10:28-30; Romans 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 2:8-9; Revelation 21:1-7).
Never let the devil or anybody tell you that you have sinned too much to be loved and forgiven by the LORD. Never let anyone remind you of sins that have been forgiven by Christ and forgotten by Him (Psalm 103:8-9; John 8:1-12).
Nobody, especially the devil, has the right to bring up anything from your past that has been redeemed by the finished work of Christ. Nobody has the right to make you afraid of God and tell you that He will not hear or even save you if you sin or fail one or more times (Genesis 50:17; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4, 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). The Lord Jesus restored brokenhearted Peter to service (John 21:15-19) and never brought up the issue of his denial ever again. He never berated Paul after the encounter on the Damascus Road. Yet, the great lion of God often admonished himself for his violent past against Christians and then stood amazed before the everlasting grace of Christ who saved him (1 Timothy 1:12-17).
All throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated His empathy and identification with people (Matt. 4:2, 8:24, 21:18, 26:37, 42; Mark 4:38, 11:12, 14:34; Luke 2:40, 52; 4:2, 8:23, 9:58, 24:39; John 4:6, 12:27, 21:13). He was always approachable, always ready to hear someone’s pleas or prayers, always ready to love and bless the innocents, such as the children (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17), the unclean (Matthew 8: 1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16). He gave dignity to women everywhere (Mark 14:3; Luke 7:37-38) by allowing them and not the men to be the first to see the empty tomb on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20: 1-10) as well as valuable members and workers in the churches (Acts 18:26; Romans 16:1-2, 6, 12; 1 Timothy 5:10).
The Lord Jesus Christ has been the One who has given mercy to the sinners, hope for the hopeless, grace for the unworthy, love to the scorned, company to the lonely, forgiveness to the worst of us, the provider of sustenance, the defender of the weak, the champion of the oppressed, and the great and mighty King of Kings and Lord of Lords whose subjects are also His friends (John 15:9-17). They can approach Him anytime (Hebrews 4:16) and are always welcomed with love and compassion that will never wax cold, not become mere routine. His mercy never fails, and the only beings who will not and cannot approach Him for forgiveness and repentance are the fallen angels. Their destiny is sealed (Matthew 25:41).
Never let anyone tell you that Jesus does not know what we are enduring or suffering in this world. Never let anyone say to you that God is indifferent or uncaring towards you.
The writer of Hebrews makes this clear in verses 14-18 of Chapter 2; this is a source of comfort to all of us who feel that the world is kicking us down the road like an old can. Anyone who says that we should not be going through any kind of hardship or suffering is not living in the real world, nor are they experiencing true life in Christ (2 Timothy 3:12). He is with us through the valley of the shadow of death, the joys of life, the problems of time and circumstance, and the days where the fiery darts of the evil one seem to hit their target.
No matter where you are or what you have gone through, He is always there to help you get out of the pigsty, welcome you home, and put the ring and robe of family, love, and reconciliation upon you if you will but give your life to Him today.
He is coming back any time now, and we want you in heaven with us when that day arrives.