A Perfect Brother – January 1, 2025

Read: Hebrews 2:10-18

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Hebrews 2:10-15

A Perfect Brother

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The holiday season is a time when family becomes a big focus. Did you get together with your family to celebrate Christmas or the New Year? If you can’t get together, you might make a phone call, send a text, or FaceTime with family. Siblings (a brother or sister), especially, have a special bond. They share family ties, they come from the same blood, and they support and encourage one another. But they also know how to “push buttons,” don’t they?! They may fight one minute yet show incredible love for one another the next.

Christmas morning was when the world got to see one of God’s great miracles: he took on human flesh. God shared our human flesh, becoming like us, living as one of us, so that he could call us his brothers and sisters. And Jesus did not shrink away from calling us that. He said, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters.” The baby lying in the manger is your brother. But why is that important? Why do I need Jesus to be my brother?

A couple of years ago, a ten-year-old, Jacob O’Connor, saw his little brother’s shoe floating in the pool. Then he saw his brother, Dylan’s body. Jacob quickly jumped into the pool, pulled him out onto the deck, and gave him CPR which he had just seen done in a movie the week before. Jacob’s quick actions rescued his brother and saved Dylan’s life.

Listen: God sent Jesus to be your brother because he saw you drowning in sin. And Jesus jumped into the pool, into this world to rescue you. But Jesus was willing to do more than just pull you out from drowning. He was willing to make it so that you would never drown again and not fear drowning in death. With the sacrifice of his perfect life, he broke the power of the devil over you. Jesus conquered death with his resurrection. He gives you forgiveness and life. Your perfect brother gives you life.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being our perfect brother to jump into this sinful world and rescue us from drowning in our sins. You are not ashamed to be called our family. May we never be ashamed to call you our brother now and forever! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• If you include Jesus, how many brothers and sisters do you have?
• Fill in the blank: Jesus saved us because he _______ (loves) us.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why was it important for Jesus to be like a brother to us and share our human life?
• Just like Jacob rescued his little brother, Jesus rescued us from drowning in sin. Knowing he saved your life, consider a way that might impact how you live today.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Jesus chose to be our brother to rescue us from sin. How does this help you feel closer to him?
• Jesus didn’t just pull us out of sin; He broke the power of sin and death over us. How does this change the way you look at your relationship with sin? And your relationship with Jesus?