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Verse 1 says “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
You and I both have heared the gospel of God. We made a decision to believe in Jesus because we heard that he is the true God who accomplished the cleansing of sins. Let us pay the most careful attention and grow in Christ deeper as we walk with him. The word spoken through the angels in verse two refers to the law. Paul also used a similar expression in Galatians 3: 19, so please refer to it. In Galatians 3: 24, it is written that the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ. Just like the law of the Old Testament was firmly established, the gospel of the New Testament promises just as certain, and it reveals that the gospel brings more blessings than a life justified in keeping the law. You are already aware that believing in the gospel brings your life true freedom, not the binding of the law. In verse 4 “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:4NIV)
As Jesus’ disciples have experienced, those who believe in the gospel of Jesus are also able to have various miracles and wonders. I accepted Jesus as my savior and started my life of prayer when I was in high school. When I look back on my life, I can say through these prayers, a lots of opportunities have been provided for me including getting accepted in University, studying abroad, even marriage, job opportunity and work of planting the church. Even though it wasn’t a smooth life at all, I can say that there was God’s help and provision at each time. When I look back on my life, I can’t help but give thanks to God from my deepest heart.
The second point is that God not only saved us, but with Jesus, He calls us to rule over all things. Let’s look back on what we have learned so far. What is written in Chapter 1 is that Jesus is the one who created the world and kept all things, and heirs of all things (1: 2, 3). Jesus is the firstborn (1: 6), and we are now called to be the brothers and sisters of Jesus (2: 12). Chapter 2 states that Jesus was made lowered than the angels for a little while. That was because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.」(2: 9) Jesus is the pioneer of salvation. Furthermore, the purpose of the existence of all things means the heavenly Father, and Jesus was sent to the world according to the plan of God, the Father. Genesis Chapter 1 tells the story of Creation. There, Human beings are created in the image of God, in his likeness and they are given the mission to rule over all animals. (Genesis 1: 26) Furthermore, in Genesis 2: 15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” The original plan of God for human beings is that we should protect nature and manage them well. God also gives humans the ability to manage the nature. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve were fascinated by Satan, and as a result, the relationship between God and mankind has been broken. However,Jesus, the second Adam, has restored the relationship between God and mankind and restored the purpose of creation. With this understanding, please continue to read Hebrews Chapter 2. I believe that God will give you a challenge in your heart. Revelation 20: 4-6, the figure of Millennium kingdom is written, and the figure of Christians becoming kings, priests, and rulers of the world with Christ is also written. If you are interested, please refer to it.
By the way, I had a chance to visit India last year. Probably because it was my first visit, I witnessed more confusion and disorder than I had imagined. However, many Christians are doing their best to reach out to their community. Many churches and the mission schools teach human equality and dignity, which the caste system does not teach. I’ve heard that the towns and areas where many Christians live are beautifully managed. I am grateful to be able to witness the miracles of God working under any circumstances as people get saved and know the true purpose of their existence.
The third point of today’s message is that Jesus has become a merciful and faithful high priest. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way. He had to be made like them means he became fully human. He might make atonement for the sins of the people means that God’s wrath for sin is alleviated by the death of Christ. Please refer to Hebrews Chapter 9 for his work as a high priest. Verse 12 explains the eternal redemption was accomplished, and in verse 15 says “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant.” Furthermore, verse 7 says “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.” Jesus faithfully accomplished his work as a high priest. Jesus is the one who offered himself through the cross and made an eternal redemption through his blood. Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “…by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.“ As a high priest, Jesus freed us from the fear of death. Furthermore, verse 18 says “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” I’m thankful for this hope that Christians hold that the one who accomplished the eternal redemption, the one who understands our sufferings, this Jesus lives with us, that is the faith of Christians.
