PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Weekly Bible Study - Study 7 - The Book of Hebrews Ch 2:10-13

“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and by whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both 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 his brothers. He says “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him” and again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me” (Hebrew Chapter 2: verses 10 to 13 New International Version)

Jesus our brother!

It is very interesting to consider the thoughts about God many of us have growing up in life. The most impressionable thought I had about God was that he was like an old grandfather with a big white beard somewhere living up above the clouds. Others have talked to me about the fear they had associated with God and the threat of judgment hanging over their heads. Today in our individualistic world others tend to think about God who is love and see God according to their own ideas. Still others have strong view of God associated with and part of the created world. What thoughts about God do you have?

Perhaps there is some truth in the above ideas, but what I think is important is that we be honest about ourselves and not create a God according to our own liking, and that we take the bible seriously in its claim to be the Word of God.
In our reading this week we learn 2 amazing things about God and our relationship with God.

The first is that Jesus came to make us holy. To be holy is to be like God who is without fault or blemish. Now each of us knows these are qualities we do not possess in ourselves. We learnt last week Jesus tasted death for everyone in order that our sins are forgiven and this makes it possible for us to be called holy. If we grew up fearing God and judgment, then Jesus has dealt with this and we need no longer fear God in this way. To be holy is fundamental to our faith just like the ocean is to fish. To be holy is a condition we cannot attain by our efforts, but it is what we can receive as a gracious gift from Jesus.

The second point is because we are holy we have joined God’s family and now Jesus calls us his brother. Please note this language is representative of humanity and includes females as well. It is unusual to think about our relationship with God in such an ordinary way for us, yet human language and ideas are easy for us to understand. The difficulty with this for us is we can easily mistake such a privilege and take for Jesus for granted. The point is not about equality but God’s kindness. We do not inherit this by right, but as is expressed elsewhere we have been adopted into the family and so our appropriate response is not taking this for granted or claiming some rights but of gratitude.

Jesus is our brother as well as our God and King and we are holy because of him.

Prayer, Thank you Lord God that you have washed away our sins and adopted us in your family where we can call Jesus our brother. Help us never to take this for granted. Amen.

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