14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

This morning I took 15 minutes to really reflect and meditate on this collection of verses. This is something that I am aware that I don’t do often enough- I have a great habit of reading three to five chapters of the bible each day every day, but there is something different about spending the same time on a shorter section of scripture and I am realising I need to work out how I can do both!

As I pondered on the significance of these verses, I realised how poorly equipped I am to truly understand the gravity of what is written!

Firstly, it says that Jesus is a high priest in service to God. I am so far removed from first century Hebrew culture that, even if I understand the role of the high priest as it is written in the Torah, I still can’t really fathom the spiritual and emotional significance that the high priest had in Israel.

Next, it says that he made atonement/sacrifice/propitiation (depending on which translation you read) for our sins. In my comfortable 21st century Australian existence, I don’t really have any true experiences to understand what this kind of sacrifice is. I have read the bible dictionary on these words and my head can explain them to my heart, but we just don’t really do atoning sacrifice in our society all that much.

And finally it echoes Hebrews 4:15 and suggests that Jesus can really identify with every single one of us because he has suffered in the same way and been tempted in the same way. My tendency though is to assume nobody can really understand me, because i am unique and nobody has the same set of experiences as me. I think this is a common feeling amongst people today.

But the weight of this passage is huge! The only way I have even begun to appreciate it, is because I had the privilege of being able to get up early, watch the sunrise and spend a longer moment reflecting on God’s word.

Lord help me to make your word a priority, not just digesting it in large amounts, but also appreciating it in smaller nights for longer.

Written by Ps. Justin Ware

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? 7 You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor 8 and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

This is quite a powerful statement – “You crowned them (humans) with glory and honour and put everything under their feet.”. This flies in the face of current popular thinking that we are a product of evolutionary chance, with no Creator to bestow on us power, purpose and meaning.

This passage tells us that we are created with Position and with Purpose.

Our Position is one of honour amongst God’s creation. We are crowned (like royalty) with glory and honour! Of course, we don’t always live up to our honourable potential, but it’s comforting and encouraging to remember that God views us like this. We are very special to Him, unlike any other part of His creation.

Our Purpose is that God has called us to rule over this world.  Although we don’t yet see everything under human jurisdiction, we have been given a very special job to do as His chosen ones to partner with Him to look after this world.

I am very grateful for God’s gift of Position and Purpose in a world that is trying to take God completely out of the picture.

Father God, we desperately need to hold on to these truths. Help us, especially to teach this to our young people, because these are the only things that can give us true meaning in this world.

Written by Shelley Witt

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” 8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 10 He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

The most revered things in the Jewish faith had been the prophets, Moses, the priesthood and angels. The author of Hebrews is seeking to establish Jesus’ supremacy over all these things. In this passage he is comparing Jesus to angels.

For us it is a no brainer that Jesus surpasses angels. But sometimes we don’t put him first either. We get distracted by the things of this world. Sometimes we make finances or work or even leisure activities more important than Jesus. None of these things are wrong in themselves, but they should not take the place of Jesus as our first priority. Look at the wonderful things this passage says about Jesus.

1. He is God’s precious Son 2. He is worshipped by angels 3. His throne will continue forever 4. He rules with justice 5. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness 6. He is anointed by the Father with the oil of joy 7. He laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens 8. He will remain always – even after the heavens and the earth perish 9. He sits at God’s right hand 10. His enemies will be a footstool under his feet.

Our response to this has to be bifold. We need to make sure he is number one in our lives, and we need to praise him! Jesus is abundantly worthy of our praise!

Lord, You are worthy to receive glory, honour and praise. You are great and just and you will live forever. May I never forget how great you are, but always exalt you. Amen.

Written by Megan Cornell

16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

This passage is written by Paul near the end of his life. He knows that he will probably be killed soon, but he is facing his end with great faith and courage.  Deserted by others, he writes here that he does want it to be held against them. He knows that the Lord will rescue him, and by ‘rescue him’, he is meaning that his future is secure in heaven (typically not most people’s definition of ‘rescue’!).

How often do we limit God’s rescue to our earthly way of thinking? Sometimes the way God rescues people is by taking them to heaven. Death in Christ is not failure, it is the greatest victory. Death is not the end, it is only the beginning.

May we grow in the ability to look at things from an eternal perspective. May we speak and act like people who are sure of our future in God’s heavenly kingdom, not full of fear but full of faith.

Written by Shelley Witt

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

What an amazing testimony – what unwavering faith!

I love that Paul could say with confidence I have done what Christ asked of me.  I want the same testimony over my life where I can say with confidence I have fought the good fight and finished the race.  That takes confidence, faith, perseverance, purity…

Lord, help me to fulfil the destiny on my life like Paul did – full of faith, right to the end!

Written by Ps. Richard Botta