He is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Hebrews 2:11
I experienced an epiphany some years ago while sitting in a local restaurant, watching my four-year-old grandson (now 14) entertain himself in the adjoining play area. Luke had quickly made friends with another boy, while the two frolicked on an assortment of play equipment designed for small children. After the boys made their way a number of times up the steps and down the slide, they ran over to the glass panel, which separated the booth where I was sitting. Pointing to me, while wearing a big smile, Luke said to his new friend, “That’s my Papa!” I returned the smile, and then the two were off to play again.
Being the young child he was, Luke undoubtedly never gave that spontaneous, affectionate interlude another thought. But I did; days later I was still basking in its glow. However, I was left to wonder. With my mind filled with cascading thoughts—thoughts of the love and affection I felt for this boy, and the affection he had instinctively and publicly expressed for his grandfather in the presence of a stranger—my mind went back to one of the most remarkable statements spoken about the Lord Jesus in all of God’s Word: “He is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
Quoting selections from Psalms and Isaiah, the Spirit-inspired writer of the Letter to the Hebrews says the Lord Jesus exults in his solidarity with his “brothers” (the ancient Greek term often included both genders, and is used three times in this passage: verses 11, 12, 17). The Son of Man, who “was made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest,” is not ashamed to identify with his Father’s children, because all those “he … sanctifies and those who are sanctified … have their origin in one Father” (2:17, 11).
If a little boy, without inhibition, hesitation or embarrassment, proudly announced his relationship to a man almost six decades older, how much more will the Lord Jesus announce his relationship to his Father’s children before a watching universe one day. He will not be ashamed to call them his brothers!
Taken from . . .
Renewed by the Spirit: 365 Daily Meditations
by Ralph I. Tilley
copyright © 2016 Ralph I. Tilley
(May be copied for noncommercial purposes,
not to exceed 500 copies.)
