Slices
Prepare
What does it mean when we declare we have been saved through Jesus Christ?
Bible passage
10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says,
‘I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.’
13 And again,
‘I will put my trust in him.’
And again he says,
‘Here am I, and the children God has given me.’
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Explore
Thomas Gray’s poem ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’ (1751) has this line: ‘The paths of glory lead but to the grave’. The poet speaks of earthly glory, which vanishes with death. Today’s passage introduces a different type of glory, and the path that leads to this. Interestingly, the path is already covered not by people who are to be partakers of the glory, but by Jesus Christ, the provider of this glory. As verse 10 indicates, this glory is through the experience of salvation.
What has Jesus Christ done for our salvation? The passage calls him ‘pioneer of (our) salvation’. He brings us salvation because he suffered (v 10). He has made us holy and we are the same family with him (v 11). Jesus had to become human to be the forerunner, a new Adam, someone who would die for humanity, paying for their sins (v 17).
The path of glory etched out by Jesus Christ leads us beyond the grave. And it is secure for the sinner saved by Jesus, the ‘merciful and faithful high priest in service to God’, who makes ‘atonement for the sins of the people’ (v 17).
Respond
Thank God for the glory that is prepared for us through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Pray that your life will be a fitting response to that gift of salvation.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 6,7; 1 Corinthians 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for those young people who are moving on from the group as they leave their teens. Ask God to help them in their Christian walk, that their faith may mature and flourish. (This week's prayer relate to this article. )
