September 14 | Hebrews 2:1-4

Elaine Pierce
Sep 14, 2025
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Our Brother, Our Savior

By Elaine Pierce

If you've picked up a study guide for our sermon series on the book of Hebrews, you'll note that Week 2 is entitled "Our Brother, Our Savior." Is there any other religion that would tie 'brother' and 'savior' together? I don't think so. Our savior is our brother, Jesus Christ. "He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness....he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:7-8).

Most gods are pictured as strong, inaccessible, powerful, and haughty. They are not interested in mere humans, but only in advancing their own power. Contrast that with Jesus, our brother, our savior. Not only does God love us, he sent his son, his only son, to live among us and to die for us. The author of Hebrews puts it like this:

For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers 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 (Hebrews 2:17).

I bolded in every way. Allow that to sink in. Jesus was like us in every way. He did not come to us as an angel messenger. He was born of a woman, he grew up just like every human being, and he understands us inside and out. He does not possess superpowers. And yet - he is the perfect high priest. He does not have to first atone for his own sins. He takes on our sins, and on the cross, he dies for us so that we might have everlasting life. He understands our temptations, but he does not yield to them.

This chapter starts off warning us not to drift away. It's so easy, isn't it, to work hard to impress Jesus by our good works: see Lord, I am worthy of a place in heaven. Or we can err in the other direction: I'm beyond redemption - my life is worthless and there is no way God can forgive me. Jesus stands before us, having paid the price, and asks us to be his brother, his sister. We can't earn it, and nothing we can do will cause him to reject us. Thank him for this gift, and rejoice in his everlasting love.

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, that you sent Jesus as my high priest. Help me to listen to his voice, to follow him, and to lean on him. Thank you for giving us scripture, prayer, and fellowship, and help me each day to be more like him. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!