2005-05-01 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church
Hebrews 2:9-18
9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12. Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13. And again, I will put my trust in him
(the Father). And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
If we're not too proud to ask Him to cleanse us from our sins, He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. He became as one of us, as flesh and blood, to overcome and destroy the power of death, so we who are chained and restrained by our fear of death could be set free. Jesus came to deliver us from the power, from the fear of death.
Maybe He could have done this supernaturally and still fulfilled the prophecies in the Old Testament. I don't know about that, but I do know the Bible tells us he took on him the nature of man, as a descendant of Abraham. In the flesh, He was tempted by Satan with everything this world has to offer, but He didn't give in. One spot, one blemish would have disqualified Him as the Lamb of God. He didn't give in, but because He was put through the temptations and sufferings of this world, I can't say that He doesn't understand what I'm going through. Because He went through these things for me doesn't necessarily mean that He will deliver me from these things, but it does mean that He's able to comfort me while I am going through these things. A Comforter who promised never to leave or forsake us. Stick with Him. Stay underneath that Comforter. Find shelter in Him wherever you are. I can endure all things with Him.