Apr 13 - Jesus Breaks the Chains

Read Hebrews 2:10-18

Context: I was surprised to find that there is no evidence showing that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews! He had identified himself in all other letters he wrote, but the author of Hebrews never identifies himself. The teaching is consistent with all of Paul's letters, but the writing style is distinctly different. Some believe it may have been Barnabas or Apollos who penned this letter.

Our text for today is part of a warning to Christians to pay attention to the teaching of Christ so they don't drift away.

Text:
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."[c] 13And again,
"I will put my trust in him."[d] And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."[e]
14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers 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[f]the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)
Footnotes:


Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
Hebrews 2:17 Or and that he might turn aside God's wrath, taking away
www.biblegateway.com

This is the only text I could find that links the power of death to the devil. Jesus conquered the power of death (the devil) when he rose again. It is interesting to see that Christ frees us from slavery to our fear of death...not from death itself. Because of his atonement for our sins, we have no reason to fear 'the other side'...we can be confident that he stands in our stead so we may be ushered into Heaven! As mere mortals, we still fear the pain that may accompany death, but we have the example of Christ surviving unimaginable pain for us before demonstrating the glory that lies beyond death.