Hebrews 2

Hebrews 2:1

I was amazed. The Christmas season was in full swing, and it was only November. At first I thought I would just “bah, humbug” it for a week or two more. But it doesn’t work that way. There’s a flow that kicks in, and, like it or not, one finds himself being caught up and carried away in the momentum of Christmas tradition because traditions have real power. And that’s the dilemma here in the Book of Hebrews. You see, the people to whom it is addressed were Christians who had come from a Jewish heritage. Yes, they had been converted to Christianity, but because they had grown up in Judaism, whenever they heard the trumpets sounding from the temple, whenever they smelled the incense, whenever they heard the swishing of the priests’ robes, memories and tradition tugged on their minds and hearts. Taking up where he left off in chapter 1, Paul continues his discussion of angels, whom the Hebrews traditionally held in high regard. In other words, if you broke the law given to Moses on Mount Sinai by the hand of angels, there would be serious repercussions. The Danger of Drifting A Topical Study of Heb_2:1 “Quick!throw out the anchor!” my brother Dave yelled to my sister as the boat motor coughed its last breath. She did. But with no rope attached, it sunk to the bottom of the Colorado River as the three of us drifted ever closer to Hoover Dam. Although we made it safely to shore, and although I was only thirteen years old at the time, I’ll never forget the feeling of drifting down the river, wondering what would happen. It’s important to have an anchor connected to the boat if you’re on the Colorado Riveror the Wellington River. Perhaps you have never heard of the Wellington, but I guarantee you’ve heard of the river into which it flows: the Niagara. Posted at the point where the Wellington empties into the Niagara, is this sign: DO YOU HAVE AN ANCHOR? DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT? Do you have an anchor, and do you know how to use it? That’s the subject of our text, as the writer of the Book of Hebrews employs a nautical nuance in the first verse of the second chapter. In the first phrase of the verse, the word translated “earnest heed” is the Greek word prosecho, which means to anchor, or to moor a ship or a boat. Notice, too, the last word of the verse. If you have a newer translation, it probably renders it properly, for the Greek word is pararrhueo, or “drift.” Thus, the writer here is saying we ought to carefully anchor ourselves to the things we have heard lest at any time we find ourselves drifting. Cognizant of this concept, there were three symbols used by the early church: One was a fish, symbolic of the acronym for Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. Another was a boat because the disciples were fishermen before Jesus called them to be fishers of men. But the most common symbol was an anchor. In early Christian drawings and literature, the anchor is seen more than the fish or boat. And the anchor, although not popular as a symbol to us today, is still a concept vital for us. You see, most of us are not in danger of plunging into the sea of carnality. This week, next month, or in the upcoming year, most of us are not going to be tempted to become murderers or drug addicts. So, too, the writer of this Book was talking to a group of people who were not only Christians, but Hebrews with a religious tradition and heritage. And he says, “The danger is not plunging into the ocean of perversity, but rather drifting away almost imperceptibly.” Like the Hebrews, we have heard the Word. We believe the Wordand yet perhaps the anchor that was once firmly set in the rock of Scripture is no longer tethered to our boat in the way it once was. Why? It could be because of busyness. Or it could be because of a problem with carnality. But let me suggest to you what I think is the primary reason people like you and me who love the Lord, who’ve been in church, who have a spiritual heritage and tradition drift: familiarity. “I already know the Scriptures,” we say. “I’ve led a Bible Study,” or, “I’ve gone to Bible College,” or, “I listen to Christian radio. I’ve heard the Word.” I used to live about thirty minutes from the magic kingdom of Disneyland. When we lived near Disneyland, I went there a lot. The first time I went, it was magical. The second time, it was intriguing. The third time, it was exciting. And the fourth time was wonderful. The fifth time was fine. And the sixth was okay. But after the tenth, twenty-fifth, and thirty-ninth time, I finally said, “I’ve been on the submarine ride a lot. I know every twist and turn of the Matterhorn; I could give you the jungle cruise spiel verbatim.” Now, at that point, if someone asked me if I liked the magic kingdom, I would say, “Sure. Go. It’s great.” But if he asked me if I would come along, I’d say, “No thanksbut you should go!” The same is true in the arena of Bible study or any other area of spirituality. “You should go there,” we say. “You should plug in,” we insist. But when asked if we’re going to come, we say, “Well, I’ve been down the Main Street of Matthew a bunch of times already. I’ve strolled through the Tomorrowland of Revelation on numerous occasions. I don’t need to go. I’m familiar with the story. But you should go. You should plug in. Me? I’m all for it, but…” Familiaritythat’s the problem. There you are, shoveling coal into the boiler, chucking wood into the fire, making sure the train of which you are the engineer reaches its destinationuntil you say to yourself, “We’re cruising fine. We’re making good time. Why should I keep shoveling this coal and splitting this wood for the fire?” So you stop. And guess what happens? The train goes just fine. “This is great,” you say. “I don’t need to keep feeding the fire. We’re cruising!” But unbeknownst to you and imperceptible to your family and friends in the passenger cars behind you, the train is slowing down at such a slow rate that no one realizes what’s happening. Finally, ten miles down the track, the train slows to a stop. “What’s going on?” your family and friends holler. “The train stopped,” you reply. “Why?” they ask. And if you’re honest, you’d have to say, “The problem isn’t the present locationit’s what I stopped doing twelve miles back when I stopped feeding the fire, thinking I could just cruise.” “Jon, our marriage has blown up. She walked out on me. How did this happen?” It didn’t start happening today or yesterday. It started way back when you stopped feeding the fire, when you thought you could cruise on the momentum of previous history. You thought you didn’t need to pray. You thought you didn’t need Bible study. Church became something you did occasionally on Sunday if there was nothing else to do. And now your train is at a standstillor, worse, your boat is drifting dangerously toward Hoover Dam. Jonah found himself in a similar situation as he drifted along in the middle of the ocean in the belly of a whale. Why was he drifting? Familiarity. You see, according to Jon_4:2, the reason Jonah headed to Tarshish in the first place was because he knew God would save the Ninevites. And he wanted no part of it. “I knew You were like this,” Jonah said. “That’s why I chose to go to sleep in the hold of the boat and drift toward Tarshish in the opposite direction.” “I know that preacher,” we say. “He’s going to talk about the importance of loving God, tithing, or prayer. That’s why I’m going fishing. That’s why I’m going to drift down the Rogue River on Sunday. You should go to church,” you tell others. “You should go to that Bible Study. It will be good for you. Me? I’m going to drift for salmon on Sunday because I already know all that stuff anyway.” What’s the solution? Back to Disneyland. After I had been forty times or so, a friend of mine said, “Let’s take our wives out to dinner at Disneyland.” “I’m kind of busy,” I said. “But you go. It’s a great place. You’ll love it.” “No,” he said. “You don’t get it. My dad has connections with Walt Disney. I’m inviting you to dinner in Walt’s private dining room above Main Street.” So we went, and sure enough, after climbing a flight of stairs to the upper level of Main Street, we were ushered into a beautiful teakwood dining room. As we found our places at the table, I noticed a waiter standing discreetly behind each couple. And as the meal progressed, every time we took even a sip of water or a pat of butter, these waiters replaced whatever was taken so that there was never anything half-full. I’ve never been in any place like it before or since. Now, if my friend had said to me, “Come back next week. Walt’s going to be here, too,” I would have accepted his invitation gladly. I would talk to Walt, and he would tell me the inside story about Mickey and Minnie and give me the history of Disneyland. And if Walt invited me back a second timeto get my opinion on future projectsI would jump at the chance because I wouldn’t merely be cruising through the magic kingdom. I would be talking to the king! The same is true in spiritual life. Whenever we’ve seen the sights of Genesis or strolled the streets of Matthew, we can say, “I don’t need to go to Bible study. I know the stories; I’ve heard the applications.” And, not taking earnest heed unto the Word, we can drift our way to the falls, wondering how we got there. Orwe can say, “I know the Scriptures; I’ve heard the sermons; I’ve sung these songs over and over. But I get to talk to the King as the message unfolds; I get to ask for forgiveness as I am convicted; I get to give thanks for grace and mercy as I am instructed.” That’s what makes devotions come alive. That’s what makes church services meaningful. That’s what makes us come to this place year after year. Not ritualbut relationship; not cruising through the kingdom, but talking to the King. This is what Jonah should have done. When the Lord first told him to go to Ninevah, he should have said, “I hear Your Word, Lord. I know Your nature. But here’s my problem: I don’t want to go to the Ninevites. I can’t stand what they say about You and what they’ve done to Your people.” Had Jonah done this, the Lord could have worked with him right then, sparing him a swim in the sea, the loss of his hair, the fragrance of the inside of a whale. So, too, any man or woman who comes to their private devotions or corporate worship with the single intent of talking to the King will never find time spent with Him a discipline, an obligation, or a burden. It will be the delight of their lives. If you’re forty years of age or older, watch out. Most likely, you do, indeed, know the Word. Main Street, Tomorrowland, Adventureland are extremely familiar to you. Thus, you are particularly vulnerable not to partying, but to drifting. There are two types of people at Bible studies: those who give earnest heed, drop the anchor, and say, “I’m engaged in this service; I’m a part of this song; I’m embracing this message"and those who sit and drift. Precious people, none of us can afford to drift. God wouldn’t say, “Be careful. Sink your anchor into My Word,” if we didn’t need to heed it. Niagara lies dead ahead, gang. Be certain you have an anchor. And make sure you know how to use it.

Hebrews 2:3

How can we escape the severe consequences of breaking the law if we refuse the salvation offered to us by Jesus ChristHe who is greater than any angel? God also bore witness to those who came after Jesusto Peter and James, to John and Andrewas they spread the Good News of the gospel into further regions. Signs and wonders confirmed the Word that was shared evangelistically. I believe this is the way it needs to be, the way it’s supposed to be, the way it still can be. “Why aren’t we seeing greater expression of signs and wonders?” people ask. I believe the answer is found in Mark 16, where Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel, and these signs shall follow: In My Name you shall cast out demons, speak with new tongues, and heal the sick.” About whom is Jesus talking? Not those who get together in the back hills of Kentucky to handle snakes, those who pass around a cup of poison, or those who say, “It’s Miracle Monday. Let’s all see signs and wonders.” Dealing with poisons, overcoming snakebites, casting out demons, healing sickness are all linked to people who are on the mission field, people who are involved in ministry, people who are risking their lives and taking a stand. How do I know this is the correct application? Because when I read the Book of Acts, I see the apostles out on the front linesnot in meetings surrounded by Christians where it was safe. As they were out in the streets, the Lord would bless them with miracles, signs, and wonders to confirm His Word in their missionary endeavors. So, too, if you put yourself in a place of vulnerability for ministry, you’ll see God work with you. Personally, I am a bit appalled by those who say, “Signs and wonders are going to happen at our Signs and Wonders Convention. Pay a hundred dollars. Come and get your notebook, hear our speakers, and then we’ll all start shaking.” I don’t buy it because I don’t see that anywhere in the Word. God will work with you. He’ll be a protection to you, and great things will happen around youbut not necessarily in the safety of the sanctuary or in the confines of a convention. A teaching presently making the rounds today says God will give you any gift you claimthat you can have any gift you wish to use in a given situation. But that’s not what the text says. That’s not what Paul teaches. Rather, the Holy Spirit gives gifts according to His will as He wishes.

Hebrews 2:5

Which of the angels is going to be in charge of the world? None. 1Co_6:3 says you and I will judge the angels. Therefore, they are not to be exalted in the way today’s society exalts them.

Hebrews 2:6

In Psalms 8, from which Paul quotes, David says, “When I consider the sun, thy moon, thy stars and the works of thy fingers, what is man that thou art mindful of him?” Perhaps out in a field on a clear evening, watching his sheep as a young man, David looked up, saw a canopy of stars, and said, “When I see all of this, who am I that You would visit a guy like me?”

Hebrews 2:7

God has not only put the works of His fingersthe sun, moon, and starsbut the works of His hands in subjection to man. In other words, man was given an awesome cosmic responsibility. But what happened? Crowned with glory, given fabulous responsibility and endless opportunity in the Garden of Eden, man blew it and lost it all. Thus, the world of which man was put in charge was turned over to the one who tricked him. Why is there war? Why is there rape? Why is there disease? Because, in a very real sense, Satan is presently in charge of this world. While Jesus is coming back to take that which He purchased with His own blood, Satan is presently exercising squatter’s rights. He’s causing hell on earth. Don’t blame the Father. Man blew it. We turned this world over to the Enemy. Yet we continue to watch his junk, listen to his music, think the way he would have us thinkand then wonder why we walk in darkness. The first Adam blew it, and all of us followed in his footsteps. Then came the Last AdamJesus. What do we see with Jesus? “Wind be muzzled,” He said. And the wind stopped. “Waves be still,” He said. And the sea was glassy (Mar_4:39). “Beasts, be at rest,” He said. And they lay down next to Him (Mar_1:13). If you want to see how the earth was supposed to be, look at Jesus and you’ll see Man living in harmony with the Father, exercising authority over nature. Anything you want to know about the way man was created to be, you can find in studying the life of Jesus. The reference here is to the position of cupbearer. You see, in Old Testament days, whenever a king was given something to drink, his cupbearer took the first sip. That way, if the winemaker had it in for his royal boss, the cupbearer would drop dead instead of the king. Jesus is our Cupbearerwhich is why He prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless not My will, but Thy will be done” (see Mat_26:39). He tasted death so that we might live.

Hebrews 2:10

A cartoon in the newspaper depicted President Clinton bidding farewell to U.S. troops leaving for Bosnia. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he calls. The next frame is of one soldier saying, “We already are.” Our Lord doesn’t simply say, “Good luck down there. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” No, He says, “I’ve marched down the same road you’re marching. I’ve fought the same battle you’re now fighting.” That’s what it means to be made perfect through suffering. Jesus was always perfect, but the fact that He suffered like us makes Him the perfect captain for us.

Hebrews 2:11

We can be one with Jesus not because of anything we have achieved but because He chooses to identify with us.

Hebrews 2:12

When we come together to worshipbe it for an hour on Friday night, a couple of hours on Sunday evening, or for a song or two before a Bible Study on TuesdayJesus is not only the object of our worship. He is also a participant in our worshipsinging praise to the Father right alongside us. Amazing!

Hebrews 2:13

As our Captain, Jesus relates to us. As our Brother, Jesus sings praise with us. As our Savior Jesus died for usthat we might be delivered from the deathly fear that haunted us. You see, life is like reading a murder mystery. All through their journey of life, people know they’re going to get murderedmaybe not in the physical sense, but they know the relationship is going to die, that they’ll be fired, or that the cancer will return. Thus, there is an understandable fear that haunts everyone. Jesus came to set us free from the fear of death. “Let Me put you out of your misery,” He says. “Die.” “What?” “Die. If any man come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, for this is the way to be free” (see Mat_16:24-25). And, as always, He’s right. If you don’t believe me, go to a funeral home, and sneak around the viewing rooms. Whisper into the ears of the corpses, “You’re going to get killed. The relationship isn’t going to work out. The finances aren’t going to come through. You’re not going to get the promotion"and you’ll find it won’t bother them a bit because they’re already dead.

Hebrews 2:16

Listen carefully, Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jesus did not take on the nature of angels. He is not Michael. And dear Mormon, He is not the brother of Lucifer. Jesus chose to be like us. Incredible! He became like us that He might be a merciful Priest. “I know what you’re going through,” He says. “I was just like you. I never sinnedbut I understand your struggle.”

Hebrews 2:18

What does it mean that He Himself suffered being tempted? Could Jesus really be tempted? If you put a hot fudge sundae in front of me, it would draw me, entice me, intrigue me. It would be a real temptation. And I would suffer with that. On the other hand, if you took me to a sewage treatment plant and told me to stand there all day and look at it, I would also suffernot because I would be tempted to dive in, but because I would be sickened by what was in front of me. In this admittedly simplistic analogy, you have the argument that has raged for a couple thousand years. Was it the seeming sweetness of sin that caused Jesus to suffer being tempted, or was He tempted to just walk away from the stench of sin altogether? While there is good argument on both sides, in a later study, I’ll weigh in with my opinion…