Father, I am working through the challenge of putting some pieces and parts together. Help me to accomplish that task, so that I may be able to bring the words I feel You are leading me to put forth. Amen.

Hebrews 2:9-10 (<<click here to read the passage)

“… by God’s grace Jesus tasted death for everyone.”

Wow! Could more be packed into so few words?! Lord, my mind is aswirl just trying to figure out how to write it all out!

Lord, the Father’s grace – His unmerited, undeserved favor has been freely given. And by that grace, You, Lord Jesus, came – in the flesh! – to live amongst us, so that You would be placed into the position where You could take what we deserved – death. (For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 AMP) Death – the indisputable penalty for sin – for thumbing our nose at God – for in defiance doing what we want – for turning our backs on You.

But there is also a very interesting use of words here. Lord, You “tasted” death. It is an irrefutable, historically documented fact that You died but…You only “tasted” death. For three days You lay in that cold, dark tomb…no pulse, no breath, no brain activity. But that was it! Three days was enough – it was a “taste” but it was enough! Praise God it was more than enough! Death had You firmly in its grasp…but no more! It only had a “taste” of victory until You were wrenched from its hands!

Jesus, You “tasted” death as You, in turn,

“…swallowed [it] up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
….O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NLT

He will swallow up death forever! Isaiah 25:8a NLT

“Should I ransom them from the grave?
….Should I redeem them from death?
O death, bring on your terrors!
….O grave, bring on your plagues! Hosea 13:14

And the last bit of today’s passage states “…for everyone.” No restrictions, no exclusions! Everyone is every one! Our petty divisions do not factor in from any angle – all are included, all are forgiven, and all are loved. Praise be to God! What more needs said?! Amen!!

(Feb 19th, 2016, Fri, 5:59 am)
Mar 1st, 2023, Wed, 1:16 pm