The next paragraph of Hebrews 2 demonstrates the humanity of Jesus Christ and His work as the Author or Captain of our salvation. This section brings several questions to mind.
- Since God is the creator of all things, could He not provide salvation without His Son becoming a man and suffering for our sins?
- Was there no other way to bring salvation to mankind?
- Why did Jesus have to become like us in order to become our Savior?
- What is necessary to bring salvation?
The process of salvation begins with God the Father.
Hebrews 2:10 NIV84 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Look at those words, “it was fitting that God.”
“It was fitting” reveals the nature of God. “It was fitting,” demonstrates God’s determined purpose to make all things in harmony with Himself. Everything that God created was very good. God did what He did because it was in His mind to do it. “It was fitting that God…”
It was harmonious and consistent with the person and character of God to bring many sons into glory in this way.
In His infinite wisdom and knowledge, God knew exactly what was necessary to bring salvation and to bring many children into His glory.
Consider those words: “For whom and through whom everything exists.”
All things were created by God and for His pleasure.
Romans 11:36 NIV84 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Some people worship many gods and many lords.
1 Corinthians 8:6 NIV84 Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom all things came and for Whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all things came and through Whom we live.
Colossians 1:16 NKJV For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
This is the message of the certitude of God.
Since all things exist by and for God, all sin and transgression is an offense and insult to Him.
For us to understand this, we must consider how terrible sin is.
It is not sin because it is socially or personally considered evil. Sin is the transgression of God and His laws. In its basic nature, sin is the rebellion and transgression against God’s authority, character, and nature.
The good and holy God made all things, and without Him nothing was made that was made, (John 1:3). It would be inconsistent with the nature and character of God to do or make anything that was contradictory with Himself.
When God created, He said everything was good.
- In nature and character, everything was created good.
- In relationship with God, everything was good.
- In obedience to the will of God, everything was good.
Things remained in that condition until sin and rebellion entered and destroyed that goodness. Sin and rebellion was not just against the goodness of man, it was against God. Pollution and death are a result of sin. The change that occurred as a result of the entrance of sin was so tremendous that the nature and character of mankind was changed.
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”
The heart is our inner self, our reason, thought, and determination.
Luke 6:45 says, “An evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
Humanity became slaves to the power of sin and are held in bondage to death and Satan.
Throughout the history of man, God gave several ages in which opportunities were given to escape the power of sin.
- After the fall of man and the introduction of sin, for 1,656 years man did what was right in his own eyes.
Humanity proved that they were not able to do what was right. Genesis 6:5 tells us, “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” When God saw that, He was grieved that He had made man on the earth, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
- After that age of conscience, for 427 years people lived under human government.
God had given them the basic command to multiply and replenish the earth, but they rebelled against God.
- After their failure, God gave promise to Abraham and for 430 years they lived under the promise.
- Then because promise was not enough to bring men to God, the Law was given.
The dispensation of the Law lasted 1,718 years from Moses to Christ.
- Then God sent His only begotten Son to provide a Savior.
To bring many children to glory, God took steps to correct the transgression that was against Himself.
Hebrews 2:10 NIV84 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
The depth of wickedness and evil in sin and transgression reveals the necessity for a great price to be paid to bring many children to glory and to God.
When sin was introduced through Adam and Eve, it brought humanity under the dominion and power of sin and death. We were at enmity against God and were unrighteous. When we are in harmony with the world, we are an enemy of God, (Romans 8:8; James 4:4). It was impossible for us to come to God on our own. Even when we do the best that we can, “all of our righteous deeds were as filthy rags,” (Isaiah 64:6).
Look at these two phrases: “It was fitting that God”, “in bringing many sons to glory.”
This is the key to our salvation.
John 3:16 NIV84 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
To provide a perfect Savior, God had to give His Son over to suffering.
Consider that word “perfect.” Jesus did not have moral failures or sin.
Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.”
The word “perfect” is found often in Hebrews.
- Perfect signifies the absolute completion of a process.
- To become a Perfect Savior, Jesus had to become as we are and suffer for our sins.
- He could not become the “Perfect Savior” if He was not morally perfect and sinless.
- He perfectly satisfied all of the just demands to complete the redemptive work He was sent to accomplish.
- He was Perfect in obedience to the purpose, plan and ministry that He was anointed and sent to do.
- He was Perfect in fellowship and union with the Father.
- He was Perfect in His identification with our sorrows and weaknesses.
- He was Perfect in His conquest over sin and death.
- Jesus did everything that was necessary to achieve Perfect salvation for everyone who would come to God through Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus fully and perfectly satisfied all the demands that were against us so that He could bring us to glory.
1 Peter 3:18 NKJV For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
Jesus Christ the Son of God was perfectly equipped and empowered to fully satisfy the just demands to bring about our salvation.
Hebrews 2:10 NIV84 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
The word “glory” cannot be overlooked. The Author of our salvation has suffered so that He can bring us into that “glory.” “glory” is splendor and excellency that is in Christ. He has made us fit to share in His splendor.
Hebrews 2:11 NIV84 Both the One Who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
This verse refers to more than the common humanity that we share with Christ.
Through His perfect sacrifice, we are brought to God.
The word “holy” is the word “sanctified” in other translations. This word “holy” is both positional and progressive.
Hebrews 10:14 NKJV For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Jesus took our place through His sufferings, so that, He might bring us to God.
1 John 3:2 NKJV Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Daily we are being brought toward the future destiny and glory that Christ has provided. Now we are in the family of God and are sons of God. He is the Author and Captain of our salvation. Through Christ alone we have access and entrance into the presence of God. He has provided a perfect entrance for us to the Father. Now we are called to “make every effort to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord,” (Hebrews 12:14).
Hebrews 2:11 NIV84 Both the One who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Look at that phrase: “So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
Hold on to that phrase for it will help us with the next two verses. These two verses quote three Old Testament quotes, ( Psalms 22:22; Isaiah 8:17; and Isaiah 8:18).
Hebrews 2:12-13 NIV84 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
These quotations are definitely Messianic in nature. In prophecy and here, Jesus is speaking.
Jesus is not ashamed to claim you as His brethren.
You have been made holy. God has sanctified you (claimed you as His own) through the sacrifice of the Author of our salvation.
1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
When and where will Jesus declare your name?
He will declare your name “to His brothers” “in the presence of the congregation.” He will do this when we are presented to God. The blood-bought children of God shall stand in His holy presence.
Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 2:17 NKJV “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
Revelation 3:12 NKJV He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
Isaiah 51:11 NKJV So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Think about this.
Jesus will not be ashamed to call us His brothers in the presence of the Father.
1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
