Scripture Text (NRSV)
Hebrews 2:10-18
2:10 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.
2:11 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,
2:12 saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."
2:13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I
and the children whom God has given me."
2:14 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,
2:15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the
fear of death.
2:16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the
descendants of Abraham.
2:17 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.
2:18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is
able to help those who are being tested.
Comments:
I'm working on the concept of "sanctification" this Sunday for a taped
sermon to be used in the ordination process, and lucked into this
passage. The Hebrews author elsewhere uses ultimate sacrificial
imagery as completely cleansing, allowing us access to God (otherwise
our sins would condemn us to immediate incineration), which connects
to having the heart of Christ within you (ie: "sanctification" with
the "big crayon" approach). Here we have the connection of Jesus
becoming one of us so that his perfection not only fails to distance
him from us, it becomes something that, through his sacrifice, we can
experience. It sounds like the best gift of all this season becomes
God giving God's heart through the gift of his son, and if we accept
that heart-gift, we just might glimpse the sanctification/perfection
John Wesley admired in the Moravians but never felt he attained. (Did
the Moravians think about John the same way?)
Alas, I ramble. Early thoughts at a late date. Anyone see a thread to
work with in this jumble?
Blessings, Rick in MO
I'm
using the Isaiah passage with this one, stressing that God HIMSELF
chose us, came to us, lifted us unto HIMSELF and offers us salvation
through and in HIMSELF. This was true in Isaiah's time, in Jesus
earthly lifetime, and still true now. HESED seems to be an underlying
theme...God has always been faithful and steadfast in God's love
toward us, blessing us in many ways, standing by us through good times
and bad....as we go into the New Year,as changed as we all must be by
the incidents of the past year, what is our response to God? I can
only pray that more of us recognize and accept what God offers us,
since the world cannot offer anything good or lasting. I'm using just
these two passages, with short commentary, then going into a service
of recognition of board and committee members, appreciation of those
stepping down and installation of new. (united methodist book of
worship page 599).
Rev Janet in CNY
I've added a copy of my sermon for tomorrow. I'm relatively new to
this task of preaching, but if you find my sermon meaningful, please
reply. Sorry the paragraph markings didn't seem to translate in as
expected. In Christ, Dan
Janet, I, too, am using both the passage from Isaiah and the one from
Hebrews for my sermon. At least I will not be alone in connecting the
two. We have what is called Red Rose Sunday on the Sunday after
Christmas in which we honor those people who have served faithfully in
the name of Christ outside the congregation -- for instance, doing
environmental work, Meals on Wheels, etc. and so I will then lead into
that recognition that these people see the need to go out into the
world, modeling Christ to be with the suffuring and those in need,
etc.
Karin in Wilmington DE
