Sermons on Hebrews 2:14-18
The various sermons below interpret Hebrews 2:14-18 by focusing on the profound mystery of the Incarnation, emphasizing the necessity of Jesus being both fully human and fully divine. Both sermons highlight the concept of "incarnation" as God becoming flesh, a divine mystery that transcends human logic. They underscore the importance of Christ's dual nature for the purpose of salvation, noting that without Jesus being truly human, he could not serve as a suitable sacrifice for human sin, and without being truly God, he could not offer a pure and valuable sacrifice. This dual nature is essential for Jesus to fulfill the role of a merciful and faithful high priest, capable of making atonement for the sins of humanity and understanding human suffering and temptation.
While both sermons agree on the necessity of Christ's dual nature, they offer distinct nuances in their interpretations. One sermon uses the analogy of "incarnation math" to explain the mystery of Jesus being fully two things at once, suggesting that this should be accepted as a divine mystery rather than understood through human logic. It also emphasizes the Greek concept of "incarnation" as being "in flesh." In contrast, another sermon highlights the Greek linguistic distinction between "partakers" and "took part," emphasizing that while humans naturally partake in flesh and blood, Christ voluntarily assumed human nature. This distinction underscores the Incarnation as a deliberate act by the pre-existent Son of God, who added human nature to His divine nature.
Hebrews 2:14-18 Interpretation:
The Miracle of the Incarnation: God Becomes Flesh (Redemption Bible Chapel St. Thomas) interprets Hebrews 2:14-18 by emphasizing the necessity of Jesus being both truly human and truly God. The sermon uses the analogy of "incarnation math" to explain the mystery of Jesus being fully two things at once, suggesting that instead of trying to understand it through human logic, we should accept it as a divine mystery. The sermon also highlights the Greek concept of "incarnation" as being "in flesh," which is crucial for understanding the passage.
The Mystery of the Incarnation: Christ's Humanity and Salvation (MLJTrust) interprets Hebrews 2:14-18 by emphasizing the distinction between Christ's voluntary assumption of human nature and the natural inheritance of human nature by all other humans. The sermon highlights the Greek linguistic distinction between "partakers" and "took part," underscoring that while humans naturally partake in flesh and blood, Christ voluntarily took on human nature. This distinction is crucial in understanding the Incarnation as a deliberate act by the pre-existent Son of God, who added human nature to His divine nature.
Hebrews 2:14-18 Theological Themes:
The Miracle of the Incarnation: God Becomes Flesh (Redemption Bible Chapel St. Thomas) presents the theme that the Incarnation is essential for salvation. The sermon explains that without Jesus being truly human, he could not be a suitable sacrifice for human sin, and without being truly God, he could not be a pure and valuable sacrifice. This dual nature is necessary for Jesus to be the merciful and faithful high priest who makes atonement for the sins of the people.
The Mystery of the Incarnation: Christ's Humanity and Salvation (MLJTrust) presents the theme of Christ's dual nature as both fully divine and fully human. The sermon explores the necessity of Christ's humanity for the purpose of salvation, emphasizing that only by becoming human could Christ die and thus conquer death and the devil. This dual nature is essential for Christ to be a merciful and faithful high priest who understands human suffering and temptation.
Hebrews 2:14-18 Historical and Contextual Insights:
The Miracle of the Incarnation: God Becomes Flesh (Redemption Bible Chapel St. Thomas) provides historical context by explaining the role of the high priest in the Old Testament sacrificial system. The sermon describes how the high priest was responsible for overseeing sacrifices that were meant to atone for the sins of the people, but these sacrifices were insufficient. This context helps to understand why Jesus, as the ultimate high priest, needed to be both human and divine to fulfill this role perfectly.
The Mystery of the Incarnation: Christ's Humanity and Salvation (MLJTrust) provides historical context by discussing early heresies that questioned Christ's true humanity or divinity. The sermon explains that some early heresies denied the reality of Christ's incarnation, either by claiming He was only divine and not truly human or by asserting He was merely human and not divine. This historical insight highlights the importance of affirming both natures of Christ as foundational to Christian doctrine.
Hebrews 2:14-18 Cross-References in the Bible:
The Miracle of the Incarnation: God Becomes Flesh (Redemption Bible Chapel St. Thomas) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Hebrews 2:14-18. Romans 1:3 is used to show Jesus' human lineage as a descendant of David, emphasizing his true humanity. Colossians 1:19 and 2:9 are cited to affirm Jesus' full divinity, stating that all the fullness of God dwells in him. These references help to reinforce the dual nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine.
The Mystery of the Incarnation: Christ's Humanity and Salvation (MLJTrust) references several biblical passages to support the interpretation of Hebrews 2:14-18. Philippians 2:6-7 is cited to illustrate Christ's voluntary humility and incarnation, emphasizing that He made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant. Romans 8:3 is mentioned to explain that Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin in the flesh. These references are used to reinforce the theological point that Christ's incarnation was necessary for salvation and His role as a high priest.
Hebrews 2:14-18 Christian References outside the Bible:
The Miracle of the Incarnation: God Becomes Flesh (Redemption Bible Chapel St. Thomas) references R.C. Sproul, who provides insight into understanding the Incarnation as Jesus being truly God and truly human. This perspective helps to avoid the pitfalls of trying to apply human logic to divine mysteries, encouraging believers to accept the Incarnation as a profound truth beyond full human comprehension.
The Mystery of the Incarnation: Christ's Humanity and Salvation (MLJTrust) references John Calvin's theological insight that the Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sinful sons of men might become sons of God. This reference is used to emphasize the transformative purpose of the Incarnation, highlighting the exchange of natures that allows believers to partake in the divine nature through Christ.
Hebrews 2:14-18 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
The Miracle of the Incarnation: God Becomes Flesh (Redemption Bible Chapel St. Thomas) uses the analogy of a "carnivore" and "reincarnation" to explain the concept of "incarnation." The sermon explains that just as a carnivore is a flesh-eater, "incarnation" means "in flesh," and "reincarnation" helps to understand the concept of taking on a body. These secular analogies are used to make the theological concept of the Incarnation more accessible to the audience.
The Mystery of the Incarnation: Christ's Humanity and Salvation (MLJTrust) does not include any illustrations from secular sources.