Christmas in July-- Day 4

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Hebrews 2:9-15

Questions:
1. Who is our text about?
2. Why is he crowned with glory and honor?
3. Can God die?
4. Who is Jesus?
5. Did Jesus die?
6. In our text, what two things did Jesus' death accomplish?

1) We see in the first sentence that this text is about Jesus. 2) He is "crowned with glory and honor" because of the suffering of death. There is something particular, something special, about Jesus' death. And the association of glory and honor with death reminded me of two other passages.

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Romans 1:1-4
 
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Revelation 5:1-6

3) God cannot die. But we believe that Jesus is one person of the triune God, so we are faced with the question, "Who is Jesus?" 4) The church has said for centuries that Jesus is fully God, and fully man (two natures) in one person, and that His two natures are not confused, blended, or otherwise compromised. So, did Jesus die? Yes. The God-Man died.

This is where I think it gets REALLY interesting! This passage tells us that Jesus' death did two things. 1) First, it says that He destroyed the devil. This is one of those already/not yet statements. In a very real way, Satan was destroyed at the cross-- and he knows it. But we can still see his evil works in this fallen world. But second, Jesus' death sets us free from the fear of death! You can look around and see innumerable evidences of mankind's slavery to the fear of death. It is the great unknown. Something within us cries out that it is unnatural. Normal. But unnatural. However, in Christ, death loses its sting. Now believers are able to face the destruction of our mortal bodies because death WILL NOT WIN. When Christ returns, He will raise His people to eternal life even as He was raised! Come Lord Jesus!