Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Dial Daily Bread: A Clear Revelation of Jesus

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There is a chapter in the Bible where Jesus is revealed so clearly that even the children can know they are close to Him and He is close to them. Hebrews 2 was written by one who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to present Christ as truly a human being, while at the same time He was truly God.

Hebrews 1 was written to present Him as having a wonderful name "by inheritance"--His name is God (vs. 8). Then chapter 2 was written to show that He is man. The entire chapter explains how the angel said of Him, "They shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matt. 1:23). Note:

(1) "We see Jesus ... made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death ... that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb. 2: 9). That means He voluntarily stepped down to become "lower than the angels" so He could save us.

(2) He became one of us so that He might die our death. You and I were born to live; He was born to die. It wasn't to die our "sleep," but the death He "tasted" for "every man" was the real thing--the last death described in Revelation 2:11 and 20:14.

(3) Jesus put Himself in the place of sinners, taking their burden of guilt upon Himself. When He cried on his cross, "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" He was suffering side by side with the crucified thieves. The repentant thief did not feel forsaken by God for Christ had assured him of forgiveness and salvation; his heart was buoyed up with joy in spite of his physical agony. But Christ suffered worse than the UNrepentant thief. He died his death, also.

(4) The nature that Christ "took part of" is that of "the children," not that of the unfallen father of our race (Heb. 2:14). You have a Savior who meets you where you are at this moment: He "took part" of your DNA heredity, your weakness, your guilt, yes, He "took" your final, second death upon Himself. He knows the strength of your temptation.

(5) Why did He do all this? So He can "succour" you as you "are tempted." He set you free from "the curse of the law" which is disobedience to the law (Gal. 3:13). He set you free from the slavery of sin.

Now, "stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made [you] free" (Gal. 5:1). Your prison doors are opened; go free.

Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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