Hebrews 2:10-18

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

It was Fitting and Necessary for Christ to Suffer

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The sufferings of Christ were necessary:
    a. in order to bring many sons to glory.
    b. in order to take away the Devil’s power.
    c. in order for Christ to become our High Priest.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Be careful about calling the Lord, “our Brother”.

QUESTIONS

  1. What questions did the Jewish believers have concerning a suffering Messiah?

  2. Why was it fitting and appropriate for Christ to suffer?

  3. Why were the sufferings of Christ necessary?

  4. What is the penalty for sin?

  5. How was propitiation made for man’s sin?

  6. What does the term “son” mean to us?

  7. What is the point of the three Old Testament quotations in Hebrews 2:12-13?

ANSWERS

  1. To the Jewish way of thinking, a suffering Messiah did not seem to be fitting or appropriate. They might have asked, “Why, if Jesus was Messiah, did he have to suffer?”

  2. God does not do anything inappropriate. It was necessary for Christ to suffer because of the problem of sin.

  3. In order to bring many sons to glory, in order to take away the Devil’s power, and in order for Christ to become our High Priest.

  4. The penalty for sin in God’s moral universe is death (see Romans 6:23).

  5. God sent His Son to suffer and to die as man’s substitute.

  6. It means that we are in a position of status and privilege. We are heirs of God and brethren of Christ.

  7. It is to show that Christ is closely identified with the people.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Read Revelation 1:18. Christ now has the keys to Hades and Death. Whoever trusts in Christ no longer faces eternal death, but has eternal life. Read 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 and 2 Corinthians 5:8. As Christians we do not have to fear death. Do you share you hope for life after death with others?

  2. The great theme of the epistle to the Hebrews is that the Lord continues His ministry as our High Priest today. Refer to Hebrews 2:18. The Lord Jesus knows what human desires, feelings, and emotions are all about because He has been there. This should make us realize that He can empathize with us and help us in any situation. Re-read Hebrews 2:18. As our High Priest, He helps us through the temptations we face daily. Are you fully aware of His concern for you? Are you turning to Him for help? Remember Hebrews 4:14-16.

CHALLENGE

  1. “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” (Hebrews 2:11). But this does not give us the right to address Him as “Brother Jesus”. We need to be careful about our theological terminology. He is still the Lord, and should be addressed as Lord. He has raised us to the position of brethren; let’s not lower His position by bringing Him down to our level.

KEY VERSES

  • “It was fitting for Him…in bringing many sons to glory…to be made perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:10

  • “…that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14

  • “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted. He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:18



Talks, Hebrews, New TestamentDeb HarmsHebrews 2:10-18