Thursday, July 2, 2026

Opening Scripture

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8

Opening Prayer

At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, every tongue confess Him King of glory now. ‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord, Who from the beginning was the mighty Word. In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue all that is not holy, all that is not true. Crown Him as your captain in temptation’s hour. Let His will enfold you in its light and power. Watch, for this Lord Jesus shall return again, with His Father’s glory o’er the earth to reign. For the day is coming when each knee shall bow, so let hearts confess Him King of glory now. Amen!

Daily Bible Reading

Hebrews 2:5-18

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.”

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

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. 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. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

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 – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.

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. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Reflection  

The writer continues to make his case for this great salvation. God the Father has accomplished, through Jesus the Son, His eternal and glorious plan of redemption. At present, the state of all creation is one of frustration. Though Jesus has won the victory, His crucifixion is still confounding to most. Almighty God becoming fully human and dying a terrible death for the salvation of His people makes no sense.

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1).

In the “now and not yet” of this current inaugurated eschatology, things are not as they appear and not as they ultimately will be. As the author says in today’s passage, “at present we do not see everything.”

In the “world to come,” when every knee has bowed and every tongue confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord (in joy or shame), every relationship will reflect God’s sovereignty, and “those who will inherit salvation” – not the angels – will reign with King Jesus forever.

“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.” The Greek word translated “perfect” (teleioó) means to accomplish, finish, or complete. Jesus “made perfect” our salvation through His suffering on our behalf.

The better translation of Psalm 8:4, which the writer cites in today’s passage, says, “What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?” It seems the author connects that reference to the Messianic designation “Son of Man,” which Jesus favored for Himself. He interprets Jesus’ human suffering as becoming “a little lower than the angels” for the purpose of dying, that He might ultimately be crowned with glory and honor.

“But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

Today’s text contains a powerful explanation of the incredible humility and relational intimacy that Jesus expressed in accomplishing our salvation. He voluntarily left the glories of Heaven to take on the brokenness of humanity. He identifies with us so closely that He calls us His brothers and sisters and was willing to do whatever it took to secure our freedom.

“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. 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 – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

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. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

How can we ignore so great a salvation?

Twice in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is referred to as the “pioneer.”

“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” (Hebrews 2:10).

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

The Greek word “archēgon” can mean chief leader, captain, prince, or pioneer. In classical Greek, it referred to a military champion, the hero of the city, the founder of the city, the one who gave the city its name, and served as its guardian.

Our Opening Prayer is the words to the hymn, At the Name of Jesus. It contains the phrase “crown him as your captain.” I love the image of Jesus as the Captain of this loyal band of disciples – His brothers and sisters, God’s children, the same family – whom the Father has made holy and is preparing for glory.

When we think about the Lord Jesus, ALL of that should come to mind. “Pioneer” describes one who blazes a trail so that others may follow, the fearless leader whose personal triumph becomes the shared victory of a people. Jesus is our Pioneer. He is our Champion. He is our Captain. Jesus is the Hero of our story.

King Jesus is worthy of our utmost loyalty and devotion. He has won the victory over sin and death. He has secured our salvation. He offers us full citizenship and abundant life in His kingdom. He alone is the focus of our worship and praise.

Flourishing means living life as God intends. What has God revealed to you today about His plan for your life?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!