Bobservations' Column
Titled - "How Shall We Escape?"Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Today's title, "How Shall We Escape?" is an odd question, until we read the rest of what is being asked. The entire question is this: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great (a) salvation?" It's rhetorical, because the answer is obvious.
The angels were aware of it, though it did not apply to them. The Prophets spoke of it. Jesus taught about it, and it was affirmed by those that heard His teachings, as they shared it with others. The writer is saying, we cannot escape eternal condemnation, unless of course we ignore the witnesses of God: the Prophets, Jesus and the Angelic Heavenly Host. Now, THAT'S a cloud of witnesses!
If we ignore their witness, disregard their testimonies and neglect the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and continue to live only responding to the flesh, then we will receive that condemnation. If that's what we want, we can do just nothing, and it will be ours.
But if we want to escape eternal damnation, the Lord God Jesus has provided a way to escape from it! That's the Good News! That's also an encouraging verse from Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians. Chapter 10, Verse 13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer ye to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
A temptation is not our only choice; we should look for the escape from it that God had has provided and make a decision that will last for eternity. In the first Chapter of the Book of Job (1:6-8), Satan is looking for a victim, and God said, "Hast thou considered my servant Job ...?" God suggests Job, because He knew his faith; and God then also limited the scope of what Satan could do to Job, and just like Job, God already knows our strengths and weaknesses. He will limit Satan's temptations, and provide a way for us to escape too, through Jesus Christ our Lord!
"And when the Gentile heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." - Acts 13:48
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Hebrews 2:1-18 - "How Shall We Escape?"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
The first chapter of Hebrews has established the vast superiority of Jesus, the Son. He is the final message of God to the world. The Son was appointed heir of all things and through him the world was created. The Son is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his very being. He upholds the universe by his powerful word. He made purification for sins and sat down at God’s right hand becoming more superior than angels because of the name he has inherited. The writer of Hebrews declares that this book is a “word of exhortation” (13:22). This book is written to encourage the people to not give up. After declaring the greatness and superiority of Jesus in these ways, the author interrupts his comparison of Christ with angels with his first of six warnings in this epistle: a warning against drifting by neglecting our great salvation (1-4). He then illustrates Jesus' superiority to angels by being made lower than the angels, whereby He became the perfect captain of our salvation and a merciful and faithful High Priest (5-18).
Because of the superiority of Jesus to deliver a superior message, we need to pay much closer attention to what we have heard. In the past God spoke by the prophets at many times and in many ways (1:1). But now God has spoken to us by his Son. Therefore, we must pay closer attention to the message that we have heard from the Son. It is always the obligation of God’s people to hear. We will see that point made repeatedly when we study through the book of Deuteronomy. Listen to the Lord. Give attention to his word.
The writer explains that the world to come will not be subject to angels but to mankind. Jesus, made a little lower than angels, took on human form to taste death for everyone. Crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering, Jesus surpasses the angels in importance and status.
Jesus, the author of salvation, became perfect through sufferings, presenting all believers as His brethren. Jesus is shown to have shared in humanity and death to destroy the power of the devil. As the merciful and faithful High Priest, Jesus makes atonement for the people's sins, empathizing with their weaknesses because of His own experience of temptation.
Hebrews 2 presents the superiority of Jesus Christ over angels, drawing a contrast between His divinity and His humanity. It expands on the theme of His shared humanity and the purpose behind His suffering and death, illustrating how Jesus offers salvation and perfect mediation between God and humanity. It also emphasizes the danger of neglecting God’s message, and the grace offered through Christ.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Because of the superiority of Jesus to deliver a superior message, we need to pay much closer attention to what we have heard. In the past God spoke by the prophets at many times and in many ways (1:1). But now God has spoken to us by his Son. Therefore, we must pay closer attention to the message that we have heard from the Son. It is always the obligation of God’s people to hear. We will see that point made repeatedly when we study through the book of Deuteronomy. Listen to the Lord. Give attention to his word.
The writer explains that the world to come will not be subject to angels but to mankind. Jesus, made a little lower than angels, took on human form to taste death for everyone. Crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering, Jesus surpasses the angels in importance and status.
Jesus, the author of salvation, became perfect through sufferings, presenting all believers as His brethren. Jesus is shown to have shared in humanity and death to destroy the power of the devil. As the merciful and faithful High Priest, Jesus makes atonement for the people's sins, empathizing with their weaknesses because of His own experience of temptation.
Hebrews 2 presents the superiority of Jesus Christ over angels, drawing a contrast between His divinity and His humanity. It expands on the theme of His shared humanity and the purpose behind His suffering and death, illustrating how Jesus offers salvation and perfect mediation between God and humanity. It also emphasizes the danger of neglecting God’s message, and the grace offered through Christ.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Earnest Heed . . . Slip (2:1) - Pay close attention to the teachings of Jesus. They are not to be forgotten or disregarded. The writer is warning to give serious, careful, and diligent attention to something, especially to the words of God, with the understanding that neglecting them can have serious consequences. The warning is to secure oneself to the truth of the gospel being careful not to pass by the only harbor of salvation. The closest attention must be paid to these very serious matters of the Christian faith. The readers in their tendency to apathy are in danger of making shipwreck of their lives.
For if (2:2) - Carries the idea: "In full view of the fact that. . ."
Angels (2:2) - Literally, God's Messengers. The angels were instrumental in bringing God's Law to His people at Mount Sinai.
Transgression and Disobedience (2:2) - Transgression is the stepping over the line, in an overt sin of commission. Disobedience carries the idea of shutting one's ears to God's commands, thereby committing a sin of omission. Both are willful, serious, and require just judgment.
For if (2:2) - Carries the idea: "In full view of the fact that. . ."
Angels (2:2) - Literally, God's Messengers. The angels were instrumental in bringing God's Law to His people at Mount Sinai.
Transgression and Disobedience (2:2) - Transgression is the stepping over the line, in an overt sin of commission. Disobedience carries the idea of shutting one's ears to God's commands, thereby committing a sin of omission. Both are willful, serious, and require just judgment.
How Shall We Escape? - (2:3) - If disobedience to the older covenant of law brough swift judgment, how much more severe will be the judgment of disobedience to the New Covenant gospel of salvation, which was mediated by the Son who is superior to the angels? See Matthew 10:14, 15; 11:20-24. The message and messenger of the New Covenant are great than the messengers and message of the older covenant. The greater the privilege, the greater the punishment for disobedience or neglect.
Signs...Wonders...Miracles...Gifts (2:4) - The supernatural powers demonstrated by Jesus and His apostles were the Father's divine confirmation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of the Living God!
The Holy Spirit (2:4) - Third Person of or Triune God. This reference refers to His ministry of confirming the message of salvation by means of miraculous gifts.
World (2:5) - The inhabited earth. While angels have considerable authority in this present world, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will personally reign over the millennial world (Revelation 20:4) and the eternal world to come (Revelation 11:15).
The Holy Spirit (2:4) - Third Person of or Triune God. This reference refers to His ministry of confirming the message of salvation by means of miraculous gifts.
World (2:5) - The inhabited earth. While angels have considerable authority in this present world, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will personally reign over the millennial world (Revelation 20:4) and the eternal world to come (Revelation 11:15).
In A Certain Place (2:6) - Quoted from Psalm 8:4-5. The confirmation of the prophetic word of God and its divine authorship.
Man...Son of Man (2:6) - Both refer to mankind, not to Christ. The passage asks why God would ever bother with man. As the following verses demonstrate (9, 10), the Incarnation of Christ is the greatest proof of God's love and regard for mankind. Christ was not sent in the form of an angel, but the form of a man.
Angels (2:7) - Here we learn that angels were given supernatural power by the Creator. They have continual access to the throne of God (cf. Job 1:6; 2:1; Revelation 5:11) and are not subject to death.
Man...Son of Man (2:6) - Both refer to mankind, not to Christ. The passage asks why God would ever bother with man. As the following verses demonstrate (9, 10), the Incarnation of Christ is the greatest proof of God's love and regard for mankind. Christ was not sent in the form of an angel, but the form of a man.
Angels (2:7) - Here we learn that angels were given supernatural power by the Creator. They have continual access to the throne of God (cf. Job 1:6; 2:1; Revelation 5:11) and are not subject to death.
Subjection (2:8) - In spite of the superiority of angels to mankind, God had originally placed the administration of the earth into the hands of mankind (Genesis 1:26-28). Due to the Fall (Genesis 3), mankind has been incapable of fulfilling that divinely or ordained position.
Glory and Honor (2:9) - Because Jesus became obedient unto death, God highly exalted Him (Philippians 2:8, 9). By His redemptive work, Christ has fulfilled all that is required as the supreme representation of mankind. By His Incarnation, substitutionary sacrifice, and victory over sin and death (Romans 6:23; 1 John 4:10, He has fulfilled man's original purpose. As the Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:47), He was for a short time lower than the angels, Now, He has glory and honor, and all things are subject to Him.
For Every Man (2:9) - Jesus did not die merely for "the sin of the world" (John 1:29). but for every man individually. Because He did this, those who come to Him in faith and repentance, asking for saving grace and forgiveness of sins, will be saved. Those who do not will receive just judgment.
Captain (2:10) - Meaning - Leader, Author, Prince. Jesus is the Prince of Life, the Captain of our Salvation, and the Author of our Faith.
Glory and Honor (2:9) - Because Jesus became obedient unto death, God highly exalted Him (Philippians 2:8, 9). By His redemptive work, Christ has fulfilled all that is required as the supreme representation of mankind. By His Incarnation, substitutionary sacrifice, and victory over sin and death (Romans 6:23; 1 John 4:10, He has fulfilled man's original purpose. As the Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:47), He was for a short time lower than the angels, Now, He has glory and honor, and all things are subject to Him.
For Every Man (2:9) - Jesus did not die merely for "the sin of the world" (John 1:29). but for every man individually. Because He did this, those who come to Him in faith and repentance, asking for saving grace and forgiveness of sins, will be saved. Those who do not will receive just judgment.
Captain (2:10) - Meaning - Leader, Author, Prince. Jesus is the Prince of Life, the Captain of our Salvation, and the Author of our Faith.
Perfect (2:10) - How could the holy God be "Made perfect?" Jesus was already perfect in His divine nature. The answer is that, if He would also be perfect man, He must learn obedience to the will of the Father and true obedience can only be tested if it involves suffering. See Hebrews 5:8, 9
Sanctifies (2:11) - Sanctification sets a person apart for service through purification from sin and conformity to the holiness of God (cf.10:10).
My Brethren (2:12) - The use of the term demonstrates His full identification with mankind in order to provide complete redemption (Philippians 2:7-9).
Partakers . . . Took Part of the Same (2:14) - The word "partakers" means fellowship, communion, or partnership. The Son of God was not by nature "flesh and blood," but took upon Himself that nature for the sake of providing redemption for mankind.
Death...Power of Death (2:14) - The ultimate purpose of the Incarnation: Jesus came to earth to die. By dying, He was able to conquer death in His Resurrection (John 14:19). By conquering death, He rendered Satan powerless against all who are saved. Satan's using the power of death is subject to God's will (cf. Job 2:6).
Death...Power of Death (2:14) - The ultimate purpose of the Incarnation: Jesus came to earth to die. By dying, He was able to conquer death in His Resurrection (John 14:19). By conquering death, He rendered Satan powerless against all who are saved. Satan's using the power of death is subject to God's will (cf. Job 2:6).
Fear of Death (15) - 1 Corinthians 15:54 tells us that for the believer, "death is swallowed up in victory." The believer no longer needs to fear death, for to him "to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21, 23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13).
Seed of Abraham (2:16) - Christ is that promised seed. Since the readers are Hebrews, they would certainly identify themselves with this description. The Messiah had been born in the line of Abraham in fulfillment of the OT prophecies (Matthew 1:21). Yet another purpose was the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant in regard to the promised seed. Of all peoples, the Hebrews should be the first to recognize the significance and importance of the Incarnation.
Reconciliation (2:17) - Christ's work of reconciliation is related to His high priestly ministry. By partaking of a human nature, Christ demonstrated His mercy to mankind and His faithfulness to God by satisfying God's requirement for sin and thus obtaining for His people full forgiveness.
Tempted (2:18) - The genuineness of Christ's humanity is demonstrated by the fact that He was subject to temptation. By experiencing temptation, Jesus became fully capable of understanding and sympathizing with mankind. Though we often yield to temptation before we feel its full force, Jesus resisted it all!
Reconciliation (2:17) - Christ's work of reconciliation is related to His high priestly ministry. By partaking of a human nature, Christ demonstrated His mercy to mankind and His faithfulness to God by satisfying God's requirement for sin and thus obtaining for His people full forgiveness.
Tempted (2:18) - The genuineness of Christ's humanity is demonstrated by the fact that He was subject to temptation. By experiencing temptation, Jesus became fully capable of understanding and sympathizing with mankind. Though we often yield to temptation before we feel its full force, Jesus resisted it all!
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