Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
The writer of Hebrews is overwhelmed with a sense of the glory of Christ. He takes the words of Psalm 8 about human beings lifted up and 'crowned with glory and honour' (verse 7) and applies them directly to Jesus. It's interesting that he quotes this. It's not that the psalm was 'really about' Jesus; partly it's that he is choosing the best words he can find in Scripture to describe him, but partly it's because Jesus represents all humanity. He died 'for everyone' (verse 9). He calls us 'family' (verse 11) and shared our human nature (verse 14). And as the Church Father Irenaeus put it, 'He became what we are so that we might become what he is.’
So this chapter stresses the identification of Jesus with human beings. It's because he was one of us that he could save us. This works not just at a theological level, but at a deeply personal one. As verse 18 says, 'And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.' We understand this instinctively. When we're in need, we'll turn to those who've had the same experiences as we have. They know what it's like to go through what we're going through, because they've been there. When they talk to us, we know they understand. Hebrews says Jesus is like that; whatever we go through, he's been there too.
God, thank you again for the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified in weakness but raised in power. Thank you that he is not just king of the angels, but a friend and a brother.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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