4. Jesus, Our Faithful Brother

Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

"Christ did not make-believe take human nature; He did verily take it. He did in reality possess human nature. "As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same" (Hebrews 2:14). He was the son of Mary; He was of the seed of David according to human descent. He is declared to be a man, even the Man Christ Jesus. "This man," writes Paul, "was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house" (Hebrews 3:3). {1SM 247.1}

Memory Text:

““Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil” (Hebrews 2:14, NKJV).

This week’s SSLesson will prove that we have a closer relationship with Jesus as a brother who adopted our human nature, that he can relate to our condition, experience to be tempted, and feels with all our weaknesses even in suffering and death . He was introduced as the Son of man in the book of Hebrews.

The incarnation of Jesus is a mystery that will not be fully, completely understood in all its greatness until the translation of the redeemed shall take place. The Saviour (God declared SON by a decree – Ps. 2:7) has purchased the fallen race with His own blood.

Inspiration says,

“Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the Son of God? No; the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person--the man Christ Jesus. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. When Christ was crucified, it was His human nature that died. Deity did not sink and die; that would have been impossible. Christ, the sinless One, will save every son and daughter of Adam who accepts the salvation proffered them, consenting to become the children of God. The Saviour has purchased the fallen race with His own blood. {5BC 1113.2}

Outline of the Study

Sunday: The Brother as a Redeemer – Jesus is Our Redeemer (Lev. 25:25-27, 47-49; Num. 35:9-15; Heb. 2:14-16; Rom. 7:14:24; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 2:11; Ps. 19:14; Isa. 41:14; 44:22; Jer. 31:11; Hos. 13:14)

Monday: Not Ashamed to Call Them Brothers – Jesus is Not Ashamed (Heb. 2:11; 4:14; 6:6; 10:23; 11:24-26; 13:12-15; Acts 7:22; Mat. 10:32, 33; Rom. 8:29; 2Tim. 1:8, 12)

Tuesday: Flesh and Blood Like Us – Jesus is Like Us (Heb. 2:9, 14-16, 17; 4:15; 7:26-28; 8:10; 9:14; 10:5-10; Mat. 16:17; Rom. 7:15-20; Gal. 1:16; 1Cor. 15:50; Eph. 6:12; Rev. 20:1-3. 10)

Wednesday: Perfected Through Sufferings – Jesus was Perfected (Heb. 1:3; 2:10, 17, 18; 4:15; 7:26-28; 9:14; Heb. 10:5-10; Rom. 5:7, 8)

Thursday: The Brother as a Model – Jesus is Our Role Model (Heb. 1:13; 10:12, 13; 12:1-4; 6:20; Isa. 7:1, 2-11; 2Kings 16:5-18; Rom. 16:20)

Friday: Further Study

Sunday: The Brother as a Redeemer – Jesus is Our Redeemer

(Lev. 25:25-27, 47-49; Num. 35:9-15; Heb. 2:14-16; Rom. 7:14:24; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 2:11; Ps. 19:14; Isa. 41:14; 44:22; Jer. 31:11; Hos. 13:14)

“and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:15)

Heaven was opened to man through the sacrifice of the Son of God. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9. He came into the world and bore the griefs and sorrows of men, that He might understand all the needs of fallen humanity… {PH105 8.1}

"I am the resurrection, and the life." He who had said, "I lay down my life, that I might take it again," came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself. Humanity died: divinity did not die. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death. He declares that He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. {5BC 1113.6}

“Christ is the Captain of our salvation. "It became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." The suffering that poured in upon the Son of God is beyond anything that man will be called to endure, yet Christ overcame, and perfected a spotless character. By his suffering and resistance he made plain to man that perfection of character can be obtained and maintained by humanity.” {YI, December 28, 1899 par. 7}

Consider the following

In ancient Israel, a person could be taken as slave to cover their debts (Leviticus 25:47). If they didn’t settle them, they were enslaved until the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:54). However, a close relative could function as their redeemer by paying off their debt and thus liberating them (Leviticus 25:48-49).

We all have been enslaved by sin since Adam sinned. We’ve been sold to Satan as slaves. Jesus became human. He is our brother, our close relative, our Redeemer (Heb. 2:14-16). He paid off our debt with His death.

Monday: Not Ashamed to Call Them Brothers – Jesus is Not Ashamed

(Heb. 2:11; 4:14; 6:6; 10:23; 11:24-26; 13:12-15; Acts 7:22; Mat. 10:32, 33; Rom. 8:29; 2Tim. 1:8, 12)

“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” (Hebrews 2:11)

People of God who Lives for His Glory

They lived only for His glory, declaring plainly that they sought a better country, even a heavenly. Of such a people God was not ashamed. They did not disgrace Him in the eyes of the world. The Majesty of heaven was not ashamed to call them brethren. {4T 484.1}

His Declaration as Brethren unto Himself

Jesus was declared as the SON of God by a decree (Ps. 2:7) Jesus will declare those who are sanctified to be His brother.

EGWhites says,

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified, are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." {SpM 416.3}

The Brother in Our Infirmities

Jesus Himself, while He dwelt among men, was often in prayer. Our Saviour identified Himself with our needs and weakness, in that He became a suppliant, a petitioner, seeking from His Father fresh supplies of strength, that He might come forth braced for duty and trial. He is our example in all things. He is a brother in our infirmities, “in all points tempted like as we are;” but as the sinless one His nature recoiled from evil; He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and a privilege. He found comfort and joy in communion with His Father. And if the Saviour of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer. {CSA 26.5}

Consider the following

Jesus was the King of the universe. He became part of a race that was enslaved by sin. He was not ashamed of being part of a family of slaves, murderers, poor, and immoral and despicable sinners.

Are we ashamed to declare that Jesus—the King of the universe—is our brother (Matthew 10:32-33; 2 Timothy 1:8)?

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you. . . . Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." {AA 536.3}

Tuesday: Flesh and Blood Like Us – Jesus is Like Us

(Heb. 2:9, 14-16, 17; 4:15; 7:26-28; 8:10; 9:14; 10:5-10; Mat. 16:17; Rom. 7:15-20; Gal. 1:16; 1Cor. 15:50; Eph. 6:12; Rev. 20:1-3. 10)

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same,” (Hebrews 2:14)

He who partakes of Christ's flesh and blood is a partaker of the divine nature. . . . A vital, life-giving current flows from his Saviour to him. {OHC 209.3}

Oh, how many things have developed since he became so full of hatred against God because his dangers and wrongs were brought before him! He has allowed wicked thoughts to strengthen and prevail because, day by day, he has not eaten of the flesh and drunk of the blood of the Son of God, because he has not become a partaker of the divine nature. The things which come from within defile the man. How corrupt then must be the source from which these evils have taken their rise! {TM 409.1}

Consider the following

The expression “flesh and blood” was used in other parts of the Bible to negatively refer to humankind: lack of understanding (Matthew 16:17; Galatians 1:16); unable to become children of God (John 1:12-13); submitting to death (1 Corinthians 15:50); weakness (Ephesians 6:12).

Jesus became “flesh and blood,” thus acquiring the weak human nature. However, He was somehow different to us. He never sinned, and His human nature was holy, harmless, and spotless (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26). This way He was able to destroy the power of the devil and to liberate us from sin.

Wednesday: Perfected Through Sufferings – Jesus was Perfected

(Heb. 1:3; 2:10, 17, 18; 4:15; 7:26-28; 9:14; Heb. 10:5-10; Rom. 5:7, 8)

“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:9)

The church is to be perfected through sufferings after the example of Christ. Being conformed to His image, we shall be one with Him. {14MR 178.2}

He came into the world and bore the griefs and sorrows of men, that He might understand all the needs of fallen humanity. He was made a perfect Saviour through the sufferings that He bore in man's behalf, and we through His grace may become perfected, and be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ in the everlasting kingdom. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16. {PH105 8.1}

Partaker with Christ’s Sufferings

We will not have a murmuring thought because we have trials. God's dear children always had them, and every trial well endured here will only make us rich in glory. I crave the suffering part. I would not go to heaven without suffering if I could, and see Jesus who suffered so much for us to purchase for us so rich an inheritance; and to see the martyrs who laid down their lives for the truth, and the sake of Jesus. No, no. Let me be perfected through sufferings. I long to be a partaker with Christ of His sufferings, for if I am, I know I shall be partaker with Him of His glory.--Letter 9, 1851, p. 1. (Brother and Sister Dodge, December 21, 1851.) {8MR 340.2}

"By Him were all things created," Paul wrote, "that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight." {AA 471.3}

Consider the following

If Jesus was already perfect, why did He have to be made perfect (Hebrews 5:7-9)?

First, He prayed to God (Hebrews 5:7).

Jesus prayed to be delivered from death, but also for God’s will to be done above all (Matthew 26:39). God didn’t deliver Him from the crucifixion, but He did deliver Him from the power of death. His prayer was answered with His resurrection.

Second, He learnt to obey (Hebrews 5:8).

Jesus learnt obedience during His life on Earth. He surrendered to God’s will at Gethsemane. He never had to obey someone before, because He was God. Nevertheless, He had to learn to obey as a man to become our Savior, submitting to God’s will.

Third, He was perfected (Hebrews 5:9).

Jesus’ perfection was a result of His self-sacrificing obedience. It prepared Him to be our heavenly High Priest (Hebrews 2:17-18).

Thursday: The Brother as a Model – Jesus is Our Role Model

(Heb. 1:13; 10:12, 13; 12:1-4; 6:20; Isa. 7:1, 2-11; 2Kings 16:5-18; Rom. 16:20)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1, 2)

Jesus will strengthen the leaders of His people if they will learn of Him. God's people must strive to reach the very highest standard of excellence. Especially should those who are medical missionaries manifest in spirit, word, and character that they are following Christ Jesus, the divine Model of medical missionary effort. {HFM 27.1}

The Imitation of Christ

True religion is the imitation of Christ. Those who follow Christ will deny self, take up the cross, and walk in His footsteps. Following Christ means obedience to all His commandments. No soldier can be said to follow his commander unless he obeys orders. Christ is our model. To copy Jesus, full of love and tenderness and compassion, will require that we draw near to Him daily. O how God has been dishonored by His professed representatives (Letter 31a, 1894)! {7BC 949.3}

Consider the following

In Hebrews 11, Paul mentioned several people who had been faithful to God. Then, he encouraged us to follow his faith example by abandoning sin and running to the finish line.

Then, he introduced Jesus as our role model. He is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. He is the beginning and the end. He is and will always be our role model.

As we imitate Him, we are being perfected day by day (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Friday: Meditation

In His life and lessons, Christ has given a perfect exemplification of the unselfish ministry which has its origin in God. God does not live for Himself. By creating the world, and by upholding all things, He is constantly ministering for others. . . . This ideal of ministry God has committed to His Son. Jesus was given to stand at the head of humanity, that by His example He might teach what it means to minister. His whole life was under a law of service. . . . Thus He lived the law of God, and by His example showed how we are to obey it. {FLB 297.2}

Questions to Ponder

1. Why Jesus was presented as our brother in the book of Hebrews and what are its importance in terms of God’s plan to save humanity?

2. How can we describe our relationship with God in making our choices which reveals Christ as the model?

3. How should we live a perfect Christian life when we are still under the flesh?

4. What’s the role of sufferings in our lives when in fact Christ had already done to make it perfect for Us?

5. In Hebrews 11:24-26, As a type of Christ – in what way does Moses’s decisions reflect or exemplify what did Christ done?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“Yet this glorious Being loved the poor sinner and took upon Himself the form of a servant, that He might suffer and die in man's behalf. Jesus might have remained at His Father's right hand, wearing His kingly crown and royal robes. But He chose to exchange all the riches, honor, and glory of heaven for the poverty of humanity, and His station of high command for the horrors of Gethsemane and the humiliation and agony of Calvary. He became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, that by His baptism of suffering and blood He might purify and redeem a guilty world.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, cp. 11, p. 121

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