Sermons on Christ's Humanity
Hebrews 1-13
The genre of the book of Hebrews is self described as a “word of exhortation”, which was a phrase used in the ancient church to describe a sermon. Therefore, it is good to consider the letter as a whole. Pastor Grasso reads the letter as a sermon.
Hebrews 10:1-10
In Hebrews 10:1-10 the author contrasts the efficacy of the blood of bulls and goats to that of Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, but Christ, as the Son of God who became man, is able to cleanse all those who come to Him from their sins. Pastor Grasso highlights in this way the significance of the incarnation for atonement.
Hebrews 5:8
Sometimes simple verses can contain deep theology. In Hebrews 5:8 the author says that Christ learned obedience through suffering though He was a Son. How can the eternal Son of God learn if He is omniscient as the eternal Son of God? This verse highlights the wonder of the incarnation and the glory of Christ being able to sympathize with His people as a great high priest.
Hebrews 5:1-10
In Hebrews 5:1-10, the author begins his comparison of Christ, a priest after the order of Melchizedek, with the sons of Aaron, the levitical priests. Christ is superior to them in that He is able to sympathize with His people without sin, has learned obedience through what He suffered, and offered prayers to God for His and our deliverance. Through all of this the one who was appointed by God to be high priest has become the source of eternal…
Hebrews 3:1-6
In Hebrews 3:1-6, the author compares Christ to Moses. Moses was the greatest OT prophet and was “faithful in all God’s house” (Num 12:7). Having shown that Christ truly became a man, lowering himself below the angels, the author now shows that he is greater than the greatest of men, Moses. Whereas Moses is faithful in God’s house as the servant of God. Christ is faithful over God’s house as the Son of God. Moses was in the house. Christ…
Hebrews 2:10-18
In Hebrews 2:10-18, the author continues to discuss the incarnation. Why did Christ become man? Ultimately to die. Far from this proving that he is not a ruler, his death is actually his “crowning with glory and honor” because by his death he has defeated the devil and made atonement for sin. Christ, the Son of God, became man for this reason.
Hebrews 2:5-9
In Hebrews 2:5-9 the author to the Hebrews shows that all things have been put in subjection to Christ, the Son of God, who became man for our salvation. This is true even if it looks like the world is far too strong for the church. Christ has become man for our sakes and, though he is made a little lower than the angels in his manhood, yet all things have been subjected to him by his death and resurrection.