Thanks be to God ...

"Because he (Jesus) himself was tested by what he suffered,

he is able to help those who are being tested"

(Hebrews 2:18).

The writer of Hebrews is once again demonstrating that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is to be the center of the Christian life. What this reminds me of is a church history professor that would always conclude his lectures by drawing a cross at the center of the blackboard saying once again, 'In spite of all of this, Christ is to be our center!'

In Hebrews 2 we see Christ-centeredness in words like these:

• Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard (2:1a, referring to chapter one that speaks of the identity of Jesus);
• the message of the kingdom of God "was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him..." (v. 3);
• we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (v. 9);
• he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death (v. 14b-15).

What's the point of this? That, somehow or another, the life, death, and resurrection has prepared us for what we are to face each day ... even today.

And even more, that Jesus Christ is our reliable source of help. Turn to him, give him thanks, and walk with confidence.

Thanks be to God.