C+C Edmonds Discussion Guide
Text: Hebrews 2:9–18
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
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. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
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 God has given me.”
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. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 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.
Summary
Hebrews 2:9–18 reveals Jesus as both exalted King and intimate Brother. The eternal Son through whom and for whom all things exist willingly took off the “crown” of his privileges, entered our world, shared flesh and blood, and suffered death in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory. He becomes the "archegos" of salvation – the champion, pioneer, and representative who goes before his people and wins the decisive battle on their behalf.
His suffering does not fix any flaw in him, but brings his saving mission to its full, complete end. By his once-for-all sacrifice, he perfectly accomplished salvation and then sat down at the right hand of the Father as a merciful and faithful high priest. In doing so, he destroyed the devil’s power of death, delivers people from lifelong slavery to the fear of death and to sin, and turns God’s wrath into favor, granting us his own righteousness.
Because he fully shared our humanity and was tempted in every way yet without sin, he can deeply sympathize with our weakness and help us in temptation and suffering. He is not ashamed to call believers brothers and sisters. Through new birth and adoption, Christians are brought into God’s family as sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ, sharing his status and inheritance. Each person must consider whether they are merely a guest on the edge of this family, or truly adopted into it by trusting Jesus.
Key Takeaways
Discussion Questions
Practical Applications
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
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. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
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 God has given me.”
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. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 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.
Summary
Hebrews 2:9–18 reveals Jesus as both exalted King and intimate Brother. The eternal Son through whom and for whom all things exist willingly took off the “crown” of his privileges, entered our world, shared flesh and blood, and suffered death in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory. He becomes the "archegos" of salvation – the champion, pioneer, and representative who goes before his people and wins the decisive battle on their behalf.
His suffering does not fix any flaw in him, but brings his saving mission to its full, complete end. By his once-for-all sacrifice, he perfectly accomplished salvation and then sat down at the right hand of the Father as a merciful and faithful high priest. In doing so, he destroyed the devil’s power of death, delivers people from lifelong slavery to the fear of death and to sin, and turns God’s wrath into favor, granting us his own righteousness.
Because he fully shared our humanity and was tempted in every way yet without sin, he can deeply sympathize with our weakness and help us in temptation and suffering. He is not ashamed to call believers brothers and sisters. Through new birth and adoption, Christians are brought into God’s family as sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ, sharing his status and inheritance. Each person must consider whether they are merely a guest on the edge of this family, or truly adopted into it by trusting Jesus.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is our champion and perfect Savior
- Jesus is our merciful and faithful high priest
- Jesus is our elder brother who brings us into God’s family
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean that Jesus is our brother?
- When do we see family language in the gospels and what does it mean?
- How do the following verses help us understand our position in God’s family?
- Romans 8:14-17
- Ephesians 1:11–14
- In what sense is Jesus “made perfect through suffering”? How does understanding “perfect” as “complete/finished” change how you read this passage?
- When you hear that Jesus is “not ashamed to call you brother/sister,” what goes on in your heart? Are you ever ashamed to call Jesus your brother?
- How does your own experience of family (healthy or painful) affect the way you hear the idea of God as Father and Jesus as Brother?
- If a non-Christian friend told you, “My family is where most of my pain comes from, so ‘God as Father’ doesn’t sound good,” how could you use Hebrews 2 to describe a different kind of family?
- Many people think of religion as people trying to climb up to God. How could you use the images of champion, high priest, and brother to describe how Christianity is different?
Practical Applications
- Live as an adopted son or daughter, not a guest
- Set aside time this week to meditate on the fact that you have been adopted into the family of God by the blood of Jesus and what that means for you.
- Bring one area of slavery or fear to your champion and high priest
- Identify one specific area where you feel trapped by sin, fear, or anxiety, and bring it to Jesus in prayer