The Battle of Pride

Jesus Defeats the Devil: The Battle of Pride

 MATTHEW 4:1-11

 

THEME: Jesus definitively triumphs over Satan to show us how to live for spiritual priorities instead of succumbing to the temptations to live for our pride, prestige, and glory.

RELEVANCE: Jesus is tempted so that every creature in heaven, on earth, or under the earth might know that Jesus Christ is the great Conqueror. This temptation is necessary to demonstrate His moral fitness to do the work for which He had come into the world. The devil will encourage us to adopt a value system that places an unhealthy emphasis on physical and material things, but Jesus un-mistakenly points out our real priorities. In addition, He exposes Satan and his schemes, while crushing him most convincingly. Because of Christ’s victory, we can win against the temptations of pride.

INTRODUCTION:

It is important to note that Jesus faced the enemy as a man, not as the Son of God. We must not think that Jesus used His divine powers to overcome the enemy, because that is just what the enemy wanted Him to do! Jesus used the spiritual resources that are available to us today: the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 4:1), and the power of the Word of God (“It is written”).

LESSON:

Jesus Defeats The Devil (Matt. 4:1-11):

I. The Attacks of the Adversary (Matt. 4:2-11)

This period was a necessary time under God’s direction—another occasion where the Son obeyed and endured until the tests were completed. Hebrews 5:8, says, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”.

The Son of God never sinned, so He did not learn “obedience” in the sense of overcoming personal rebellion. Rather, He experienced “obedience” in a tangible, flesh-and-blood way. By living as a man, He chose to submit to the Father’s will in real-time and real-world situations. 

Now Jesus, our great High Priest, can truly sympathize with our struggles. By experiencing suffering and choosing obedience through it, Jesus became the qualified and perfect source of salvation for us all. 

THE SECOND ATTACK OF SATAN—LIVE FOR PERSONAL PRIDE, PRESTIGE, AND YOUR OWN IMMEDIATE GLORY (Matt. 4:5-7). 

A The Temptation of Pride (Matt. 4:5-6): Prove you are the Son of God; jump off the highest point of the Temple!

Matthew 4:5-6, Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

1.     The Second Temptation Took Place In Jerusalem On The Pinnacle Of The Temple.

a.      The devil challenged Jesus to throw Himself down as a spectacular display of His divine Sonship to gain popularity and acceptance. The Lord Jesus was taken to a pinnacle of the temple, probably about 500 feet above the Kidron Valley.

b.     Satan knew of the protection promised to the Messiah by God in Psalms. Psalm 91:11-12, For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. [12] They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

c.      Satan made a subtle suggestion to Jesus as the Messiah. He may have been reminding Jesus of Malachi’s prophecy (Mal. 3:1). The people expected Messiah to suddenly appear in the sky, coming down to His temple. Satan was saying, in essence, “Why don’t You do what the people are expecting and make some marvelous display? After all, the Scripture says His angels will protect You as You come down!” (W. W. Wiersbe) 

d.     Beloved, be alert to any power, strength, ability, gift, talent, beauty, or prominence you may possess! This could become a source of pride and independence of God!   

2.     The Temptation Was For Jesus To Demonstrate That He Was Messiah By Performing A Sensational Stunt.

a.      Jesus could achieve glory without suffering; He could bypass the cross and still reach the throne. But this action would be outside the will of God.

b.     John describes this appeal as “the pride of life” (1 Jn. 2:16). It resembles the “tree desirable to make one wise” (Gen. 3:6) in the Garden of Eden, as both were a means of achieving personal glory while ignoring God’s will.

c.      This is a desire to attain religious prominence apart from the fellowship of His suffering. We seek great things for ourselves, then run and hide when difficulties come our way. When we ignore God’s will to exalt ourselves, we tempt God.

d.     Satan challenges Jesus to prove His divine identity. He is tempting Jesus to take matters into His own hands rather than submitting to God's intended path of suffering and obedience.

e.      Ignoring God's will to exalt ourselves leads to spiritual separation, misplaced priorities, and an inevitable downfall. Pride fosters arrogance and self-reliance, while true purpose and honor come from surrendering to God's plan and serving others.

f.      Aligning your will with God's shifts your focus from earthly recognition to serving others, ultimately allowing Him to guide, honor, and elevate you in His perfect timing.

g.     God repeatedly warns us against pride, describing it as a spiritual barrier that invites destruction, brings shame, and causes individuals to exalt themselves above God. These passages caution that self-reliance without God ultimately leads to a fall. 

1.     Warnings about the Destructive Nature of Pride

a.      Proverbs 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

b.     Proverbs 11:2, When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

c.      Proverbs 29:23, A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

2.     Warnings revealing God's Opposition to Pride

a.      James 4:6, ...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

b.     Proverbs 16:5, Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

c.      Psalm 10:4, The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

3.     Mandates that Call us to Humility before Him

a.      1 Peter 5:5, Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

b.     Philippians 2:3, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

3. This Temptation Was Even More Subtle Because Satan Also Used the Word of God.

a.      “So You intend to live by the Scriptures,” Satan implied. “Then let me quote You a verse of Scripture and see if You will obey it!” Satan then quoted from Psalm 91:11–12 where God promised to care for His own. “If You really believe the Scriptures, then jump! Let’s see if the Father cares for You!”

b.     Satan May Have Thought If Jesus Could Quote Scripture To Him, He Could Quote It Too. However, he purposely did not quote Psalm 91:11-12 accurately. He left out an important phrase, “in all thy ways.” According to the psalmist, a person is protected only when he is following the Lord’s will. For Jesus to cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple in some dramatic display to accommodate Himself to the people’s thinking would not have been God’s will. Jesus’ response indicated that it would not be proper to test God and expect Him to do something when one is out of His will.

c.      Note Carefully Our Lord’s Reply: “It Is Written AGAIN” (Matt. 4:7). We must never divorce one part of Scripture from another, but we must always “compare spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:13). We can prove almost anything by the Bible if we isolate texts from the contexts and turn them into pretexts. Satan had cleverly omitted the phrase “in all Thy ways” when he quoted from Psalm 91. When the child of God is in the will of God, the Father will protect him. He watches over those who are “in His ways.” (W. W. Wiersbe)

d.     Satan tempts Jesus to prove He is the Son of God by jumping from the high pinnacle of the temple. The devil weaponizes scripture by quoting Psalm 91:11-12, trying to trick Jesus into foolishly testing God’s promise of protection for a cheap, spectacular show. 

 

B.   The Triumph Over Pride (Matt. 4:7): Do not presume to test the Lord or force Him to accommodate your will; respect the fact that He is God!

 Matthew 4:7,  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

1.     Jesus Replied with Deuteronomy 6:16: “Thou Shalt Not Tempt The Lord Thy God.”

a.      We tempt God when we put ourselves into circumstances that force Him to work miracles on our behalf. The diabetic who refuses to take insulin and argues, “Jesus will take care of me,” may be tempting the Lord.

b.     We tempt God when we try to force Him to contradict His own Word. It is important for us as believers to read all Scripture, and study all God has to say, for all of it is profitable for daily life (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

c.      Jesus reveals that demanding God perform a miracle to prove His love or power is not faith; it is a lack of trust and an act of manipulation.

d.     God had promised to preserve the Messiah, but that guarantee presupposed living in God’s will. To claim the promise in an act of disobedience would be tempting God.

 

2.     Again, Jesus Resisted the Temptation for Immediate Glory, Prestige and Pride! 

a.      The time would come when Jesus would be revealed as Messiah, but the cross must come first. It is wise to wait on God’s timing.

b.     The altar of sacrifice must precede the throne. The crown of thorns must precede the crown of glory. Refuse to be afraid of sacrifices for the Lord’s sake. We are correct when we anticipate suffering, pain, investment, obligation and payment before any returns, privileges, or advantages.

c.      Jesus would await God’s time and would accomplish God’s will. Making a point of walking daily in the will of God is one way to demonstrate faith in it.

d.     A life of humility honors to the Lord and the Lord will honor a life of humility. Proverbs 22:4 says: “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” True reverence for God and a spirit of humility yields great spiritual rewards. The Lord exalts and honors the humble!

1.     Proverbs 15:33, The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

2.     Proverbs 18:12, Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

3.     1 Peter 5:6, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

We can triumph over pride and Satan’s temptations when we know God’s Word for ourselves, understand His will for us, cling to His approaches, and timing. The wiser we are the more his manipulations lose their power over us. Refuse to take suggestions from Satan, the world system, and the carnal fleshly nature we all still possess. Never trust the Devil’s usage of the Scriptures, it is okay to go back and study the Word more carefully for yourself. It is also okay to give yourself some time to reflect, and to gain thinking equilibrium. Place a little time, perhaps 24 hours, between your initial impressions or impulses and any follow-through actions. If there is a need to be hasty, rushed, quick, or hurried it may NOT be the best course of action no matter what they ‘promised’. Any offers that make you feel ‘time pressure’ or ‘a limited time offer’ is probably not from God! If it seems too good to be true…it probably is! 

CONCLUSION:

Jesus triumphs over Satan’s temptations of pride and independence! He was tempted so that every creature might know that Jesus Christ is the matchless Conqueror. This temptation was necessary to demonstrate His moral fitness to do the work for which He had come into the world.

Additionally, Jesus exposed Satan and his tactics, and He defeated Satan without a doubt. Because of Christ’s success, we can have many conquests over pride and the tempter.

By our experiencing various sufferings, inconveniences, hardnesses and choosing obedience to God through them, we become qualified comforters and perfect aids in the salvation and growth of others. Yes, we too can definitively triumph over Satan and live for God’s priorities instead of yielding to Satan’s temptations to live for pride, prestige, and glory.

Judgment of the Great Whore

“Judgment of the Great Whore”

REVELATION 17:1-18

THEME: In highly metaphorical language the filthy religious prostitute and her judgment by the Lord Jesus are described. Be assured that God hears the prayers of his persecuted, justice is a divine priority, and martyrs will eventually be vindicated. 

INTRODUCTION: 

1. John describes the Lamb’s phased and progressive victory over "the beast" and his kingdom. Here the religious system is destroyed; then later the political and economic systems fall also (Rev 18). Afterwards, the Lord Jesus returns to earth; condemns Satan, "the beast" and the false prophet (Rev 19:19-20); and then establishes His kingdom.

2. John has a vision of a “great whore” which is a “great city” seated on “seven mountains,” who rides “sit upon a scarlet colored beast”—the Antichrist to power and then she is destroyed by him. John first symbolically describes “the great whore” (Rev. 17:1–6) and goes on to interpret the vision (Rev. 17:7–18), identifying the beast, his drive toward power, and his subsequent turning on the “whore” when absolute power is his. (W. W. Wiersbe)

John revisits that destruction and deals in detail with the fall of Babylon.

MESSAGE:

I.  The Great Whore Exposed (Rev. 17:1-6).

The scene begins with an invitation (Rev 17:1-2).

A.  AN EXPOSING SUMMONS (Rev. 17:1-3a).

  1. From an Angel.

One of the angels asks john to come and see what God will do with "the beast's" worldwide religious system.

  2. To the Apostle.

John was invited to witness the punishment of the great prostitute, symbolizing the religious system of Babylon. Religious Babylon likely includes apostate Christendom, both Protestant and Catholic. It may well represent the ecumenical church. (W. W. Wiersbe)

  3. About a Judgment.

         A.  Upon a System of Spiritual Impurity. Her corruption (Rev. 17:1-2, 4). The prostitute rules over "peoples and multitudes and nations and languages," indicating the global influence of this system.

         B.  Upon a System of Political Fraternity. Her compromise (Rev. 17:3): she has aligned herself with the godless political systems of this world. John learned that the kings of the earth had committed fornication with the woman; which means they had become a part of the religious system, which she symbolized (Rev.14:8). Prostitution often symbolizes idolatry or religious apostasy (Jer. 3:6–9; Ezek. 16:30ff.; 20:30; Hos. 4:15; 5:3; 6:10; 9:1). She has seduced political leaders with her compromise and intrigue. The world rulers will be absorbed into the empire of Satan’s false Christ.

         C.  Upon a System of Global Religion.

The harlot’s influence will extend beyond the world’s rulers to the rest of mankind (v. 15; 13:8,14). The many waters symbolize “peoples, multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (v. 15).  Vast numbers of inhabitants of the earth have come under her evil influence and have been reduced to staggering misery. The imagery does not describe actual wine and sexual sin, but pictures the world’s people being swept up into the intoxication and sin of a false system of religion. (W. W. Wiersbe)

   4. Through the Spirit.

Following the invitation, John was carried away "in the spirit" into the wilderness. There he saw "the harlot" and wrote down the description of what he saw (Rev 17:3-6). Gen 2 speaks of a pure bride in a lovely garden; but by the Bible’s end, civilization has degenerated to an impure harlot in a wilderness! That is what sin does to the world.

B. AN EXPOSING SYMBOL (Rev. 17:3-6).

This description is critical and bursting at the seams with information and insight.

   1.  The Symbol of the Woman

She represents a seductive, corrupt religious and political system that opposes God, leading people into idolatry or ‘spiritual adultery’.

QUOTE: “Let's begin with the woman. Rev 17:18 makes clear that she is identified with a city that existed in John's day ("reigns" is present tense). This city is prosperous and powerful, but also idolatrous ("blasphemy") and dangerous. For one thing, it pollutes the nations with its filth and abomination (pictured by the golden wine cup); for another, it persecutes those who belong to the Lord (Rev 17:6). Power, wealth, pollution, persecution: these words summarize the "great harlot's" involvement on a worldwide scale.”  — W.W. Wiersbe

         A.  Her Place (Rev. 17:3)

According to Revelation 17:15, the prostitute rules over “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (languages), indicating the global influence of this system.

Her posture is important as she is seated upon “many waters” (Rev 17:1), and upon a “scarlet coloured beast” with seven heads and ten horns. John was greatly amazed and wondered with admiration when he saw the woman and “the beast.” But what did it all mean? Thankfully, the angel gave John (and all believers) the explanation of these symbols (Rev 17:7-18).

         B.  Her Portrait (Rev. 17:4) 

She is clothed in luxury, symbolizing wealth, arrogance, and allure. The “golden cup” holds “abominations and filthiness”—the idolatrous and sinful, immoral behaviors of her “fornication”.  So clad in luxury (purple and scarlet), she holds a golden cup filled with spiritual adultery, idolatry, and corrupt practices that entice the world, ultimately representing corrupt religious-political power. 

1.      She is utterly materialistic (Rev. 17:4a). The woman is dressed in expensive garments, decorated with gold and precious stones. She is holding a golden cup in her hand and is drunk with the blood of the saints. On her forehead (see rev 13:16; 14:1) she wears a special name.

2.      She is corrupt, “abominations” (Rev. 17:4a) (Greek: bdelugma—detestable/accursed things) and "filthiness of her fornication" signify a mixture of idolatrous worship, moral corruption, and deception offered to the kings of the earth.

3.      She says blasphemous things about God (Rev. 17:4b). All of this signify a mixture of idolatrous worship, moral corruption, and deception offered to the kings of the earth. Generally, she is a false religious system or a corrupt world power that lures inhabitants away from divine truth, leading to spiritual corruption (“fornication”). This imagery contrasts with the pure bride of Christ, symbolizing deep spiritual impurity disguised as attractive, divine favor. 

         C.  Her Prostitution (Rev. 17:5)

On her forehead the caption, “Mystery Babylon the great, mother of harlots and abominations of the earth” appears. This seems to indicate she has daughters who are also “harlots.” A harlot is a woman who fornicates or uses her body for financial, political, or profitable gain. It’s a system that is, at the same time, opulent and morally filthy.

QUOTE: “The woman's name also involves "mystery" (Rev 17:5). In the New Testament, a "mystery" is a hidden truth that only the spiritually initiated can understand. To grasp one of God's mysteries requires spiritual intelligence and discernment. In this case, the mystery has to do with Babylon.

The city of Babylon was founded by Nimrod (Gen 10:8-11). The name Bab-el means "the gate of God." Ironically, the famous tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9) was an idolatrous attempt by man to defy God. When the Lord sent judgment on the builders by making mankind's one language into many, the word bab-el came to mean "confusion." Later in history, Babylon became a great empire before finally falling to Media-Persia. But from the beginning of Nimrod's city in Gen 10, an insidious anti-God "Babylonian influence" has been felt throughout history.”   —W.W. Wiersbe

QUOTE: “The Bible is full of information about Babylon as the source of false religion, the record beginning with the building of the tower of Babel (Gen. 10-11). The name “Babel” suggests “confusion” (Gen. 11:9). Later the name was applied to the city of Babylon which itself has a long history dating back to as early as 3,000 years before Christ. One of its famous rulers was Hammurabi (1728-1686 b.c.). After a period of decline Babylon again rose to great heights under Nebuchadnezzar about 600 years before Christ. Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (605-562 b.c.) and the subsequent history of Babylon is the background of the Book of Daniel.

Babylon was important not only politically but also religiously. Nimrod, who founded Babylon (Gen. 10:8-12), had a wife known as Semiramis who founded the secret religious rites of the Babylonian mysteries, according to accounts outside the Bible. Semiramis had a son with an alleged miraculous conception who was given the name Tammuz and in effect was a false fulfillment of the promise of the seed of the woman given to Eve (Gen. 3:15).

Various religious practices were observed in connection with this false Babylonian religion, including recognition of the mother and child as God and of creating an order of virgins who became religious prostitutes. Tammuz, according to the tradition, was killed by a wild animal and then restored to life, a satanic anticipation and counterfeit of Christ’s resurrection. Scripture condemns this false religion repeatedly (Jer. 7:18; 44:17-19, 25; Ezek. 8:14). The worship of Baal is related to the worship of Tammuz.”  —John MacArthur

         D.  Her Practices (Rev. 17:6)

She commits adultery with both potentates and people of this earth (Rev. 17:2). Four times in this chapter, the woman is called a 'harlot" (Rev 17:1,5,15-16); and her sin is called "fornication" (Rev 17:2,4). Her evil influence has extended to the whole world, reaching even into high places ("the kings of the earth").  She is idolatrous (Rev. 17:2; 18:3, 9), cruel (Rev. 17:6), and has murdered the martyrs of Christ.

QUOTE: “The woman is "the great harlot," but she is also "the mother of harlots." The Babylonian system has, in one way or another, given birth to all false religions. She has also seduced men into opposing God and persecuting His servants. ”   W. W. Wiersbe

   2. The Symbol of the Beast (Rev. 17:3b)

This “scarlet” beast with “seven heads and ten horns” is a symbol of a satanic political system (like the Roman Empire or the antichrist kingdom) that supports this corrupted system of the ‘harlot’.

         A.  His Appearance (Rev. 17:3b)

               1. Note What He is.  “Beast”

               2. Note What His Color Is.  “Scarlet”

               3. Note What His Communication Is.

QUOTE: “As noted earlier, scarlet is the color of Satan (Rev 12:3) and of sin (Isa 1:18). Scarlet was a popular color in Rome, and both scarlet and purple were associated with rank and riches.

But the woman must not be separated from "the beast" that carries her.”  —W. W. Wiersbe

          B. His Associations (Rev. 17:3b)

               1. He Has Seven Heads

               2. He Has Ten Horns

QUOTE: “The beast' has seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads symbolize seven mountains (Rev 17:9) and also seven kings or kingdoms (Rev 17:10), in keeping with Old Testament imagery (Ps 30:7; Dan 2:35). 1 have already suggested that the seven mountains can be interpreted geographically as the seven hills of Rome, but they may also be interpreted historically as seven kingdoms.”   —W. W. Wiersbe

Finally, this passage portrays John’s vision of a “great whore” seated on a bloodred monster—the Antichrist, representing a corrupt, seductive global system—often called “Mystery, Babylon the Great”. It blends false religion, secular humanism, and political power to rebel against Almighty God, the Lord Jesus, and harass and oppress the real people of God.

This religious system is drunk with the “blood of the saints,” since they refuse to adopt the seductive immoral values that rival God, they are brutally persecuted and killed as true followers of Jesus. While it is incumbent upon us to exercise patience now, God will deal with the unfair, murderous, corrupt, decadent, unfaithful conditions of mere earthly religion led by Satan. Not merely because the righteous long for this so greatly, but because God is just in all His ways and His timing is always perfect. God will expose, confront, and obliterate global alliances of political and religious systems opposed to Him. Though such a system seems dominant and attractive, its inevitable destruction by Jesus Christ is clearly promised. Rest assured, saint of God, he will deal with the fakes in due time no matter how universal they may be.

The Cry for Judgment & Vindication will be answered. “Judge and avenge our blood”

Revelation 6:9-10, And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: ¹⁰ And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

The great question was not whether their enemies would be judged, but when. "How long, O Lord?" has been the cry of God's suffering people throughout the ages (see Ps 74:9-10; 79:5; 94:3-4; also Hab 1:2). The saints in heaven along with us know that God will eventually judge sin and establish righteousness in the earth, but we do not know God's exact schedule.

Psalm 74:9-10, We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. [10] O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Psalm 94:3-4, Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? [4] How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

Careful, this is Not a Cry for Revenge.

It is not personal revenge that we must seek, but vindication of God's holiness and the establishment of God's justice. Every believer today who sincerely prays, "Thy kingdom come!" is echoing their petition.

Remember, Romans 12:19-21, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The Lord Jesus is fulfilling His kingdom role as the Administrator of justice in the earth!   

QUOTE: “The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief.”  -- T. S. Eliot 

God hears the prayers of his persecuted, justice is a divine priority, and martyrs will eventually be vindicated. 

Jesus Understands Us (Part 1)

 

Lesson Three

Jesus Understands Us

Hebrews 2:5-9

 

Theme: Jesus Christ is not inferior to angels because of his humanity.  Christ, through His humanity, secured our great salvation which involves the exaltation of believers, freed us from the fear of death, and affords us the help of a compassionate High Priest in Heaven during temptations.  Christ’s humanity enables Him to understand our needs and challenges fully.

 

Reflection

Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.

 

1.  Where do you usually turn for comfort when you are hurting?

Perhaps you would say, “my spouse,” “my Bible,” or “prayer,” maybe “my Lord,” or your parents or perhaps the pastor.  It is good if we turn to one of these especially if we go to the Lord Jesus first.  There are however, some less honorable options we sometimes resort to, like food (chocolate, cheese cake), shopping, a movie (escape), or travel (escape).  Some of us even retreat within ourselves to nurse our wounds. Some people also seek comfort in the abuse of alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, and even prescription drugs. Even Christians sometimes deal with hurts in ways that seldom include looking to Christ for comfort.

During the winter of 1777–78 the Continental Army of the rebelling American colonies shivered in Valley Forge while the British forces occupied and rested in Philadelphia. Conditions at Valley Forge were so miserable and supplies so inadequate that the desertion rate from the ranks of the Continentals exceeded the rate of arrival by new recruits.

The only reason the Continental Army survived at Valley Forge was because George Washington was with it. The impression Washington’s character had made on his men through months of service together inspired enough loyalty to keep the Continental Army intact and the British army bottled up.

Washington suffered with his men. He endured their privations and continually interceded with the Continental Congress for provisions and supplies. The troops in the huts who lacked boots, blankets, and food knew the General was their fellow-sufferer and champion with the powers-that-be.

Washington had come out of retirement to lead the Continental forces, and once the Revolution was successfully completed he tried to retreat once more to the beauty of Mount Vernon.

 

Man of Destiny

 

The letter to the Hebrews opened with grand assertions about the deity of the Son of God, His role in sustaining all of creation, and His superiority over the angels as the Revealer of the Father to humanity. This tribute of praise set the stage for the main idea Hebrews wants to express about the Son. This awesome Being has shared human nature and experience so fully that He is both Jesus the Son of God and the Son of Man. Hebrews emphasizes the genuine humanity of Jesus as well as Christ’s deity. It was this unique combination of humanity and deity that enabled Him to be both our Savior and our High Priest. Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

 

Bible Reading

Read Hebrews 2:5–18.

*In His humanity, Christ, our Sacrifice, restores dignity to mankind (2:5-9).

*In His humanity, Christ, our perfect Captain, releases the suffering (2:10-16).

*In His humanity, Christ, our compassionate High Priest, relieves the tempted (2:17-18).

In the first chapter we saw that Christ is superior to the angels as the Son of God. Now it will be shown that He is also Superior as the Son of Man. It will help us in following the flow of thought if we remember that, to the Jewish mind, the thought of Christ’s incarnation was incredible, and the fact of His humiliation was shameful. To the Jews, Jesus was only a man, and therefore He belonged to a lower order than the angels. The following verses show that even as Man, Jesus was better than the angels. –MacDonald, William

This passage affords us some insight into this great salvation we have in the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:5–18). What is the “great salvation” that the writer described? Hebrews views salvation as nothing less than the exaltation of humanity to resume our dignity lost to sin (2:5–13), and as a release to freedom or escape from spiritual enslavement (2:14–18). Through the grace of Christ, we have been ushered back to our original glory and honor; no longer primarily viewed as “sinners,” but glorious sons of God—Christ’s brethren!

Of course, we all have sinned. All humankind, apart from Jesus, lies dead and deadened underneath the curse. But still, life is possible through Christ.

Before the Fall, man lived. Then because of the Fall mankind died.  We could only wait for the divine rescue.  Christ stooped low to claim, quicken, and restore us to life.

Quoting from Psalm 8:4–6, the writer recaptures the wonder of the psalmist who has discovered man’s lost identity:

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?  7, Thou 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: 8, Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. (Hebrews 2:6–8)

When God created the first man and woman, He gave them dominion over His Creation (Gen. 1:26–31). David marveled that God would share His power and glory with feeble man! Man was created “a little lower than the angels” (and therefore inferior to them), but man was given privileges far higher than the angels. God never promised the angels that they would reign in “the world to come” (Heb. 2:5).

 

Discovery

Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions. 

2.  What was God’s primary intent for mankind? (Heb. 2:5-8) 

A.    Explanation.  This section serves as an explanation (Heb. 2:5–18) as to how Christ, with a human body, could still be superior to angels who are spirits. Jesus Christ is not inferior because of his humanity.

a.      The fact that angels are “ministering spirits” without human bodies would seem to give them an advantage over Jesus Christ who had a human body while He ministered on earth. (Today He has a glorified body that knows no limitations.)

b.      The entire passage explains why our Lord’s humanity was neither a handicap nor a mark of inferiority.  Note how this is expressed.

                                                    i.     Because Christ became human he could regain man’s lost dominion and jurisdiction (2:8-9).

                                                  ii.     Because Christ became human he could pioneer the way for many sons to enter glory (2:10-13).

                                                 iii.     Because Christ became human he could defeat Satan and deliver man from the fear of death (2:14-16).

                                                 iv.     Because Christ became human he could assist us as a compassionate high Priest when we are tempted (2:17-18).

B.     Exaltation. God made man in original glory, “in the image of God” (Gen. 1:27) and God gave him “dominion” (v. 28).

a.      God did not appoint angels to control the future world, this he appointed to man.  The “world to come” (2:5) is the golden age of peace and prosperity spoken of frequently by the prophets—the Millennium (Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-9; Isa. 2:2-4; 11:4, 6, 8-9; 35:1-2; Jer. 3:7; Zech. 14:9).  Eventually dominion over the earth will be given to man, not to angels.

b.      In a sense, man is insignificant, and yet God is mindful of him. In a sense, man is unimportant, yet God does take care of him (2:6).

                                                    i.     “Visitest” means to look upon, to look after, to go to see (Matt. 25:36).

                                                  ii.     The word means “to look upon in order to help or to benefit, to look after, to have a care for.” This clearly indicates that the son of man spoken of here is the human race. God looks upon the human race in order to help or to benefit it. Thus, the picture in verses 6–8 is that of the human race in Adam. –Wuest, Kenneth S.

c.      In the grand scale of creation, man occupies a lower place than the angels (2:7). We are more limited in knowledge, mobility, and power. And we are subject to death. Yet in the purposes of God, man is destined to be crowned with glory and honor. The limitations of his body and mind will be largely removed, and he will be exalted on the earth.

                                                    i.     Everything will be put under man’s authority in that coming day —the angelic hosts, the world of animals, birds, and fishes—in fact, the planetary system, and potentially every part of the created universe will be put under his control (2:8).

                                                  ii.     This was God’s original intention for man. He told him, for instance, to “replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth on the earth” (Gen. 1:28).

d.      This is the exaltation of humankind! In Christ, we have been lifted up to share the Son’s glory, becoming in Him so fully “sanctified” and “all of one” Father that we are called by Jesus Himself, “My brethren” (2:11–12).

C.     Humiliation. Why then don’t we see all things in subjection under him? (Heb. 2:8)

a.      We have a serious problem because it is obvious that man today is not exercising “dominion” over creation. Certainly man cannot control the fish, fowl, or animals. In fact, man has a hard time controlling himself! “But now we see not yet all things put under him” (Heb. 2:8).

                                                    i.     The answer is that man lost his dominion because of his sin. The Fall shattered God’s glorious intention for mankind. 

                                                  ii.     Adam’s sin brought the curse on creation (Gen. 3:14-24). Docile creatures became ferocious. The ground began to bring forth thorns and thistles. Man’s control over nature was challenged and limited.

b.      Adam through his fall into sin, lost the dominion he had before enjoyed. He was no longer master of himself. He had become a fallen creature, with a totally depraved nature. He was a slave to sin. The animal kingdom was subservient to him not now through affection but fear. The ground, instead of yielding only good things, now produced also thorns, weeds, and other harmful things. Extremes of heat and cold, poisonous reptiles, earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, all conspired to make his life a constant battle to survive. He had lost the dominion over all these things. –Wuest, Kenneth S.

c.      But the Fall did not shake God’s love. Man was still God’s concern, still cared for (2:6). Therefore, Jesus stepped down to become Man, suffered death that the Father might bring “many sons unto glory” (Heb. 2:10). Becoming human was an utter humiliation for Christ!

 

3.  What roles did Christ play to restore man to his rightful place in God’s plan for humanity? (Heb. 2:8-9)

“But we see Jesus!” (Heb. 2:9) He is God’s answer to man’s dilemma; what man forfeited, Christ recaptured and fulfilled. Jesus Christ became man that He might suffer and die for man’s sin and restore the dominion that was lost because of sin. His humanity enabled Him to regain man’s lost dominion.  Let’s take a closer look at the roles of Christ in this.

A.    Christ our Replacement (Substitute) (2:9).

a.      For a little while, He was made lower than the angels, specifically, for the thirty-three years of His earthly ministry. His descent from heaven to Bethlehem, to Gethsemane, to Gabbatha, to Golgotha, and to the tomb, mark the stages in His humiliation. But now He is crowned with glory and honor. His exaltation is a result of His suffering and death; the cross led to the crown.

b.      Christ became a man for the “suffering of death” as our Substitute (Heb. 9:11-15, 24-28; 1Pet. 2:24; 3:18; Isa. 53:5, 6, 8; 2Cor. 5:21).

c.      The story of the Passover lamb (Exod. 12), with 1 Cor. 5:7, illustrates the meaning of substitution as … one life given in the stead of another. “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us. Christ Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree—this is substitution. Christ died in our place, bore our sins, paid the penalty due our sins; and all this, not by force, but willingly (John 10:17, 18).

                                                    i.     The idea of substitution is seen in the preposition used to describe Christ’s death: In Matt. 20:28, Christ is said to give His life a ransom for all (also 1 Tim. 2:6).

                                                  ii.     The use of this preposition in this manner means instead of.

d.      Substitution … means this: That something happened to Christ, and because it happened to Christ, it need not happen to us. Christ died for our sins; we need not die for them if we accept His sacrifice.

                                                    i.     For further illustrations, see Gen. 22:13; God providing a ram instead of Isaac.

                                                  ii.     Barabbas freed and Christ bearing his cross and taking his place.—William Evans

e.      Jesus took your place on the cross. He died in your place and in my place and in the place of everyone you know. The penalty for sin is death. And we are all sinners. Unless One who was pure and righteous took our place and suffered the penalty for our sin, we would have to bear that penalty ourselves. The apostle Paul explained this in Romans 3:10–18.

B.     Christ our Representative (2:9).

a.      God’s gracious purpose was that Christ might taste death for every man. The Savior died as our Substitute and as our Representative; that is, He died for man and He died as man.

                                                    i.     He bore in His body on the cross all God’s judgment against sin so that those who believe on Him will never have to bear it.

                                                  ii.     Just as a lawyer represents his client before the judge in court, the Lord Jesus represented all humanity at the judgment of Calvary where he suffered as a man for all men of all ages.

                                                 iii.     Christ died as a man. Since it was man that sinned initially, only man could pay the penalty (Heb. 10:5-10).

b.      “Jesus thought of himself in terms of a heavenly Messiah fulfilling on earth a ministry on men’s behalf which would culminate in scenes of final glory.”—The Moody Handbook of Theology

c.      Christ experienced death on the behalf of “every man” (2:9). This clearly teaches that Christ sacrifice was not limited to the elect, but sufficient for every sinner without exception (John 1:29; 12:32; 2Co 5:15; 1Ti 2:6; 1John 2:2). 

d.      Thank the Lord for our most excellent Representative, Who satisfied divine justice on behalf of all mankind.

C.     Christ our Restorer (2:8-9).

a.      Currently Christ is “crowned with glory and honour.” When the Son of Man returns to reign over the earth, man’s dominion will be restored.

                                                    i.     Jesus, as Man, will restore what Adam lost, and more besides (Eph. 1:10; Acts 3:19, 21; Matt. 19:28; Rom. 8:18-23).

1.      Restoring: Returning what is lost or taken; bringing back; recovering; curing; renewing; repairing; re-establishing. –Webster’s Dictionary 1828

2.      Dispensation of the fullness of times (Eph. 1:10). This is the seventh and last of the ordered ages which condition human life on earth.  God is moving everything forward to the time when Christ will rule over all things in heaven and earth—the Kingdom Age (2Sam. 7:8-17; Luke 1:31-33). This is the fullness, through Christ, God will restore original universal unity, when all things are brought back into harmony with himself and under the leadership of Christ (1Cor. 15:24-25).

3.      The times of restitution [restoration] of all things (Acts 3:19, 21) point forward to the Millennium and not universal salvation.  This is the time when creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption and Christ will reign in righteousness as King over all the earth.

4.      The period will be marked by all kinds of blessings and renewal (cf. Is. 11:6–10; 35:1–10; Ezek. 34:26; 44:3; Joel 2:26; Matt. 19:28; Rev. 19:1–10). –The MacArthur Study Bible

5.      Restitution of all things [Acts 3:21]—comprehending, probably, the rectification of all the disorders of the fall. –A Commentary, Critical And Explanatory, On The Old And New Testaments

6.      The times of refreshing ... from the presence of the Lord [Acts 3:19] refer to the blessings of Christ’s future kingdom on earth…. –Believer's Bible Commentary

                                                  ii.     Restoration. We are probably expressing the full warrant of the Scripture when we say that the reconstruction mentioned in these passages contemplates the restoration of man, under the reign of Christ, to a life in which the consequences of sin are no longer present, and that this reconstruction is to include in some measure a regeneration of both the physical and the spiritual world. –International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

                                                 iii.     So while we do not see everything under man’s control at the present time, we do see Jesus, and in Him we find the key to man’s eventual rule over the earth.

1.      When our Lord was here on earth, He exercised that lost dominion. He had dominion over the fish (see Matt. 17:24–27; Luke 5:1–11; John 21:1–11), over the fowl (Luke 22:34, 60), and over the wild beasts (Mark 1:12–13), and the domesticated beasts (Mark 11:1–7).

2.      As the last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45), Jesus Christ regained man’s lost dominion. Today, everything is under His feet (Eph. 1:20–23).

b.      Man was crowned “with glory and honour” (Heb. 2:7), but he lost his crown and became the slave of sin.

                                                    i.     Jesus Christ has regained that “glory and honour” (Heb. 2:9), and believers today share His kingly dominion (Rev. 1:5–6). One day, when He establishes His kingdom, we shall reign with Him in glory and honor.

                                                  ii.     Jesus Christ did all of this for us—for lost sinners—because of “the grace of God” (Heb. 2:9). If He had not become man, He could not have died and “taste[d] death [experienced death] for every man” (Heb. 2:9). It is true that angels cannot die; but it is also true that angels cannot save lost sinners and restore man’s lost dominion.

c.      Christ was not primarily a religious teacher, a philanthropist, an ethical example; He was all these, yea, and much more—He was first and foremost the world’s Saviour and Redeemer. Other great men have been valued for their lives; He, above all, for His death, around which God and man are reconciled. –Evans, William

Response

 

Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.

 

 

9.  How is Jesus' pain and temptation relevant to us?

 

 

 

 

 

10.  In times of trouble, why do we turn to other people rather than to Jesus?

 

 

 

 

 

11.  In what way does God equip us to reach out to others with compassion?