Bible Reading
Hebrews 2:
1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9But 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.
10For 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.
11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14Forasmuch 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;
15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17Wherefore 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.
18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Devotional
Man by nature is dead in trespasses and sin. Sin has ruined him. He is subject to the wrath of God, to eternal damnation. Man has brought himself into this condition by wilful disobedience to God. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."
But God has no pleasure in the death of a sinner. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live." And God urges the wicked to face about, that is, to come unto him. "Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" God has prepared a great salvation through Jesus Christ. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." All our sins He laid upon Christ. And Christ made atonement for them through his suffering and death. Moreover, Christ also rendered perfect obedience to the law of God. God has imputed our sins to Christ, set them to his account, and imputes Christ's righteousness unto us, and pronounces us righteous in him. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Salvation is prepared. God invites us to accept it. Now if we neglect so great salvation, how shall we escape the wrath of God? If we reject his Christ, God will reject us.
Prayer
O Lord our God we have grievously sinned against Thee, and brought upon is Thy righteous judgments. We have deserved eternal death; but Thou in Thine infinite mercy hast prepared salvation for us through Jesus Christ Thy Son, and this salvation Thou dost freely offer to us sinners. O, may we not harden our hearts, but accept it in faith, and magnify Thy grace, for Christ's sake. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: Rom. 5:12; Ezek. 33:11; 2 Cor. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:21.
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