Hebrews 2:12

Hebrews 2:12

The mission of Christ

Psalm 22, written by David, explores in amazing detail, the suffering of Jesus at His crucifixion and allows us to understand a little of what that sacrificial act cost Him, physically, mentally and also spiritually. After a plaintive plea to God, to save Him from the onslaught of His enemies, the Lord Jesus makes an astonishing vow to His Father. A vow that involves you and me. “I will declare Your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.” V22. Here in Hebrews “my people” becomes “my brothers and sisters.” The Greek word is “adelphoi” and it embraces all believers who are part of God’s family. It’s a word that occurs in several other places in the Bible when describing the intimate relationship of the true church with Jesus Christ.  In His deepest moments of suffering on the cross, Jesus pledged to His Father to declare His name to His people and “wow” how He has kept His promise! Think about it, we would not have any inkling about Father God if it were not for the words and actions of Jesus. The knowledge of our Father would belong exclusively to the Jews and the rest of us would be foreigners and excluded. The Gospel would never have been preached to the world and it’s possible that even the Jews would be extinct by now. But, that is not how it is, centuries later the name of our God is still worshipped and held to be greater than any other god. 

The “assembly” here refers to the great gatherings in heavenly places that extol and uphold the name of the Lord. John allows us brief glimpses of this heavenly activity in Revelation and tells us that angelic voices perpetually sing out, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty; who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8. 

Jesus therefore made two vows at Calvary, one was to declare God’s name to us, His brothers and sisters, the second vow was to sing praise to the Father upon His return to the heavenly realms. He has fulfilled His pledges, and we His family, and God His Father are the ones who benefit. Can you believe that? Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

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