Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor… God, in Christ, forgives sin, and restores the prodigal. In our country at the present time, it is the lot of a favoured few to possess the franchise, or in ether words, the freedom of being recognised citizens of our empire: but Jesus Christ tasted death to give the franchise of heaven's freedom to every man. He tasted death to make every man a citizen of the Heavenly Jerusalem. 1. Jesus Christ tasted death to give every man THE FRANCHISE OF PARDON. It is the pardon of all sin — full pardon. A young man in an office stole his master's money, and injured his business very consider. ably; and the youth, being convicted, was brought before his employer, when he said, "Oh, sir, do forgive me'" The master replied, "Well, I will forgive you as much as I can." But our good Father has no need to say He forgives us as much as He can. He has power of love to forgive us fully, and blots out our sin from His memory as if it had never happened. II. Jesus Christ by the grace of God tasted death to extend to every man THE FRANCHISE OF NOBILITY. We say of the ancient aristocracy of our land that they possess the blue blood of nobility. The blood of Christ, when spoken of in the New Testament, often means the life power of our Saviour. He tasted death that every man might receive His life-force. What a splendid position, what a glorious inheritance! And "for every man"! You, perhaps, may say, "It is impossible for every man to become noble!" An ignorant person may tell a gardener that it is impossible to make a red rose grow on that white rose bush; but in two years afterwards, when the gardener has grafted a slip into it, the red rose appears. People may say that it is impossible to make a red rose grow upon a white rose bush. The gardener replies, "Impossible it is done; it is there! " If you wish to prove whether Christ's words be true or not, try them by the test of yourself. Believe, and do, what Christ tells you; and if you do not become noble. if you do not possess the spirit of godliness, then believe, but not till then, that true nobility is impossible. III. Jesus also tasted death to give every man THE FRANCHISE OF PRIESTHOOD. Jesus has given every man the right of a free access unto God. Jesus Christ has tasted death in order that the sun of our Father's love might shine direct upon the heart of every man. IV. Jesus Christ has tasted death to give us THE FRANCHISE OF ROYALTY. We are joint-heirs with Christ of the Kingdom of God. It is a common saying when we see anybody very cheerful, "He is as happy as a king." Jesus has tasted death that every man might be happy as only kings unto God can be. He has given us all that is necessary for our enjoyment. Christ has given us power to act kingly. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. |
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