Hebrews 2:9 “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”
Observation: Hebrews 2 exalts the most remarkable love story ever written. Verse 9 makes clear that it’s a love story written in the blood of Jesus, rather than in any of our best efforts. He tasted death “for everyone.”
Application: Such a simple phrase, “He tasted death for everyone.” Yet the profound reality is how easy it is for me to denigrate such sacrifice, often unknowingly, as I continue to rely on my own resources to build my kingdoms, my systems of security.
But the kingdom He has already purchased for me is unimaginably more than enough. While I try to lay up my own treasures, verse 8 says He has put all things under my feet. What more could I possibly need or desire? This Savior, Jesus, has already done all and more than I could imagine.
Verses 14–15 report the absolute, complete victory of Christ: “Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
Amazing! He has set me free from the thing I fear most! And if I am free from even the fear of death, how much more ought I be free from all those other supposed “needs” that creep in around the edges of my faith? Financial insecurity, loneliness, health—these things, and everything else I could imagine, are in subjection, under my feet!
Prayer: Father God, show me today more of the reality of what it means for things I fear to be in subjection under my feet. Cause me today, Lord, to live in the fullness of Your victory, confident that Your taste of death has absolutely set me free!