Not Ashamed to Call us Brethren

Commentary on Hebrews 2:9-18
written by Murray McLellan

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. 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.

Commentary:

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. (2:9)

To think that God became a man! And to have become a man “for the suffering of death.”  O, to the Jews a stumbling block and foolishness to the Gentiles, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God!

If Jesus is greater than the angels, and as the writer of Hebrews has declared, He most certainly is, how could He die? How could He be the Savior if He died? It was His death that accomplished salvation! That little one wrapped in swaddling cloths was born to taste death for mankind. Those little hands and feet were destined to be driven through with nails; that sacred head destined for a crown of thorns. He became cursed for men that the curse would be removed. He had to be a man – no angel could have accomplished this. Angels do not die.

What humility! The One worshipped by angels, was for a time made lower than the angels that He “might taste death for everyone” – for everyone who believes (see v. 10,13,16). This magnifies the grace of God. God through the death of Christ, displayed His glory by revealing Himself to be a gracious God – not just of a little but of infinite grace. There is a people accepted in the Beloved according to the good pleasure of His will who will forever be to the praise of the glory of His grace. Every time the angels look at us whom He has redeemed, they probably proclaim, “Is God ever gracious!”

Praise to Jesus Christ, our substitute in death. He alone is worthy to be “crowned with glory and honor.” Let us glory in the cross of Jesus Christ. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

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. (2:10)

Yes, how this becomes Him! How this fits with God’s character! Who else could have conceived of such a plan, that He might be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus? Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, will bring His “sons to glory.” He will lose none of them.

            Whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called,
these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also
glorified. (Rom. 8:30)

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, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (2:11-13)

Jesus not only saves us from the penalty of sin but also the power of sin in our lives. He is the one “who sanctifies” – the one who makes us holy. He unites us with Himself and becomes “for us wisdom [from God], and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). What a complete and perfect salvation – found in a complete and perfect Savior!

His righteousness is so perfect that we have become children of God and brothers of Jesus Christ. We most certainly were not born into God’s family, but, by His grace, we have been born again; this time spiritually into His family. He is not ashamed to call us brethren. How my heart aches to think of the times when I remained silent, instead of unashamedly proclaiming the gospel of the Lord of glory. How can we be ashamed to call this glorious Savior, brother? How can we be ashamed to identify with Him? I most certainly could understand His being ashamed of me, but never, no never, should we be ashamed of this one who loved us and gave Himself for us; this hallowed and exalted Lord of heaven and earth. Let us offer Him praise for His glory (Ps. 50:23); our words providing the extension of what is in our hearts. Let us put our full trust in Him, to show the world that our God is worthy of complete trust (Ps. 36:7-9).

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; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (2:14,15)

We, by nature, are flesh and blood. Jesus, who by nature is not, willingly took upon Himself flesh and blood to break the powerful chains that held us in captivity to the devil, sin, and death. Jesus is the Seed of the woman that crushed the serpent’s head! To live is Christ, to die is gain! Death has lost its sting! It is no longer to be feared by those who trust Him, for death means being with Christ, which is far better. Being with Christ is gain! In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 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. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (2:16-18)

There is no redemption for fallen angels. However, this merciful God takes for Himself, from fallen man, a remnant according to grace. He redeems them and builds them into a holy nation according to the promise given to Abraham.

What a High Priest we have, who Himself became the sacrifice and the mercy seat. He dealt with suffering and temptation in a victorious and God-glorifying way. Where should we go in times of suffering and temptation? Look no further than our perfect Savior and Sanctifier – our merciful, faithful, and understanding High Priest! Who is like our Lord Jesus Christ? To whom will you liken Him? To whom will you compare Him? He stands alone! He alone makes propitiation for the sins of the people. Blessed be the name of the Lord!