Sorry I’ve been quiet for a few days. I’ve taken a couple runs at this next bit, and keep coming up with confusing and messy posts. So I scrapped them and started once again. What I really want to do is take one giant step back so we can see what’s going on in the writer’s thesis.

A major tenant of the case the writer is building in this letter to Hebrew Christians focuses on Jesus’ ability to identify with humanity. (That’s a mouth full – sorry.) His becoming lower than the angels for a time critically impacts His ability to represent us before the Father.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying,

“I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.”

And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.” – Hebrews 2:10-13

I intend to come in closer on the verses in the next few days, but for today let’s see the whole package.

“…fitting for Him…” For whom? It was fitting for the Father. God created all things through Jesus, for Himself. He didn’t create you for you. He created you for Himself. He made for Himself a bride, a friend, a son, a daughter. His intended, when He created you, a future of glory for you, a glory that brings honor to Him. Jesus, who sanctified Himself for us and cleansed us with His blood, calls Him Father and teaches us to do the same.

Jesus, made flesh to connect with us, doesn’t look back at what He gave up longingly. He looks at us and calls us brothers and sisters. Rather than assuming the role of equality with the Father and above us, He chooses to be one of us.

Jesus takes a place beside us and worships God with us.

“I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.”

Jesus lives life trusting God for every aspect of survival and success.

“I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.”

Jesus cares for God’s children as a shepherd watches His Father’s flocks.

“BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.”

We’ll dive into these three quotes in the coming days, but for today, what we need to see is simply this.

Jesus calls you brother, He calls you sister, and He’s right at home in that relationship.

Thanks for stopping by today.

There’s so much more.

Come back soon.

Ben