Those
Who Are Being Tested
Now God
did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But
someone has testified somewhere, "What are human beings that you are
mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a
little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to
them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see
everything in subjection to them but we do see Jesus, who for a little while
was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the
suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for
everyone.
It was
fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their
salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who
are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call
them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my
brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."
And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I
and the children whom God has given me."
Since,
therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the
same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power
of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in
slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help
angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his
brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and
faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement
for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Hebrews 2:5-18
Every
day we are tested in some way. Each day, let's thank God for saving the work of
Jesus Christ, whose love and sacrifice carry us forward to this day, and will
eventually carry us to God Himself.
If we could merit our own salvation,
Jesus would not have died to provide it.
Our Daily Bread -