Introduction
Faith in Christ is always contested. Ideologies clash, worldviews collide, and truth claims compete for allegiance in the marketplace of ideas, tempting Christians to abandon Christ for His rivals. This is the primary pastoral concern that Hebrews was written to address. The original recipients were being tempted by suffering and social pressure to turn away from Christ and go back to Judaism. Hebrews, then, is to show the supremacy of Christ over every rival claim and to urge Christians to persevere in wholehearted allegiance to Jesus.
Text: Read Hebrews 2:10-18 and pray.
Passage Summary: Hebrews 2:10-18 explains that Jesus—through His incarnation, suffering, and death—fully identified with humanity in order to deliver them from sin and death. By sharing in our humanity, He is able to help those who are tempted and to provide mercy and grace to those who rely on Him.
Discussion Questions
1. “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (v. 10)
This passage declares that, in order for the Son of God to save humanity, he had to become fully human himself. For only one who is fully God has the power to save humanity, but only who is fully human has the ability to die as their representative. The early church father, Gregory of Nanzianzus, articulated it this way: “For that which He has not assumed He has not healed; but that which is united to His Godhead is also saved” (Epistle 101.32).
As a group, discuss Nanzianzus’s statement. Why is it essential that the founder of our salvation is fully God and fully man? How does this statement help us understand what it means that Jesus was “made perfect” through suffering?
2. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (vv 14-15).
Here, the author of Hebrews explains that the Son of God became fully human and died on the cross in order to destroy the devil’s tyranny over mankind and deliver humanity from their enslaving fear of death. In other words, because Jesus fully atoned for the sins of mankind, the devil can no longer tyrannize them with accusations of guilt and fear of judgment. Rather, they have been set free to live confidently as forgiven children of God who will overcome the grave with Christ.
In what specific ways do you experience the Devil trying to enslave you with guilt for your sins and fear of death? What specific gospel promises do you need to take up in order to fight the fight of faith and live in the freedom Christ has won for you?
3. “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (vv 17-18).
For a third time, the author of Hebrews emphasizes that the Son of God became fully human in order to save humanity. This time, he adds another reason Christ’s full humanity is crucial: because Jesus experienced temptation, he is able to help us when we face temptation. In other words, having learned to trust his Father amid trials, Jesus truly understands what temptation feels like and can strengthen us by his Spirit to trust God in the same way.
How does knowing that Jesus experienced temptation help you approach your own struggles with sin or trials? And what is one area you need Christ’s help right now in the midst of your own trials and temptations?
Close in Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man, perfectly revealing Your glory while sharing in our human experience. Help us trust in His power to save and His sympathy to guide us through every trial. May we follow His example, resting in His grace and drawing near to Him in every moment of need.