Taste Death

Hebrews 2:9-18 (ESV)

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Note how the word death pervades this section: twice in verse 9, in verse 14 twice, and once in 15. He suffered death, He tasted death, through death He conquered the devil who had the power of death, and, finally, He delivered all those who for fear of death were slaves of death their whole life. Jesus Christ was born to die. His death delivered all men.

Since the Fall, every man has had to face death sooner or later, until Jesus Christ came and hung on a Cross, daring death to come face Him.

Note how atonement is strewn throughout this text. He tasted death for everyone, verse 9. He conquered Satan by dying, verse 14. He delivered those who were caught in the slavery and fear of death, verse 15.  He paid for their sins, verse 17. He is able to help those who are being tempted.

We are faced with these two realities: 

Jesus died. 

And Jesus saves.

It reminds me of the Lord's Supper.

These emblems of bread and wine represent the vitality of life, for this bread was once alive in the grain fields, and this wine was once alive in the vineyard, but it had to be destroyed in order to bring life to our bodies.
The grain was mutilated and crushed into flour, the grape was crushed and the juice held within it had to be shed. And the nutrients within these things sustain us.

Jesus used these things to help us remember his death. Jesus said these things represent death. He asked us to eat these things in remembrance of his death, for just like the grain, his body was crushed, and like the grape, his blood was shed. So as we let God's word teach us today, as we remember the next time we take communion, would you come and taste death?

Taste it that you may live.