LESSON 1:

Paul's first four words in Hebrews 2:9 are thrilling.

There the Apostle is just beginning a discussion of the High Priesthood of our dear Lord.

He says:  "But we see Jesus!"

Other Scriptures admonish us to do the same thing ... to keep our eyes on the Saviour!

"Looking unto Jesus ..." is an example.  That's found in Hebrews 12:2

Or what's said of the Disciples (Peter, James and John) on the Mount of Transfiguration ... "And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."  Matthew 17:8

The word for "see" in Hebrews 2:9 is "blepo" in Greek.

It's a present tense verb ... indicating on-going habitual action!  Keep on seeing Jesus!  Don't get off focus!

"Blepo" is just one of the Greek verbs for seeing.  But it has a particular emphasis.  It means "to see with intent and earnestness, even with contemplation!"  (It is NOT just a glance!)  It carries the everyday meaning of "gazing" at something or someone. 

The first use of this word in the New Testament comes from the Mouth of our Saviour.  He is preaching the Sermon on the Mount.  "But I say unto you, That whosoever LOOKETH on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."  (Matthew 5:28)  This is the WRONG KIND of looking!

What's the RIGHT KIND?

Again, "Looking unto Jesus!"

And the last time this word is used?  Revelation 22:8 --- "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things."  The last Biblical use depicts our seeing the beautiful things of heaven!

Let's tie these references together.

IF I will spend my life LOOKING at Jesus ...

       I will NOT spend my life looking at lustful, sinful things!

       And I will some day see the glories of Heaven too!

The underlined sentence echoes Hebrews 2:9.

The green sentence reflects Matthew 5:28 (first mention).

The red line illustrates Revelation 22:8 (last mention).

Be careful what captures your gaze!

Keep your eyes upon Jesus!

                                                                            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2:

The Bible is not only inspired of God in WHAT it says ... but also in HOW It says it!

Our great "God Breathed" Book (the real definition of inspiration) is right in its content ... and also in its vocabulary and history and geography and every other detail!

I believe it to be without error ... all the way down to the cases of its nouns and tenses of its verbs!

Truthfully we can learn mighty information simply from the grammar of each new word the Holy Spirit uses!

Let me today give you an example.

In Hebrews 2:9 it is recorded:  "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."

Look with me at two verbs here:

"Jesus WAS MADE LOWER (all verb in Greek) than the angels."

Then:  "Jesus was ... CROWNED with Glory and Honour."

Both these verbs are in the passive voice!

"Was made lower" translates "elattoo" in Greek.  The word means "to decrease!"  (Jesus, still being very God, became man!  He condescended to our human level!  He limited some of His Divine attributes to be the Man Christ Jesus!  Yet He always was God!)

Our verb is the same one John the Baptist used when He said:  "He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease."  John 3:30

And "crowned" (in Greek = "stephanoo") means rewarded.  It is used of an earned crown, one requiring great effort!

But here is my point today.  Both these verbs, being passive, tell us that not only was Jesus willing to do these things ... but the Father did them to Him as well! 

We know Jesus was willing to come to earth and die for sinners.  This is made clear in many passages of Scripture.  Jesus said to His Father: "Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done."  (Luke 22:42)  And He added in John 8:29 --- "And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him."

But these passive verbs give us another side to this great Truth!

Not only was Jesus willing, but the Father asked Him to do come and die for us on Calvary!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

John 20:21 --- "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

"Passive" verbs indicate that the Subject (Jesus in our Hebrews 2:9 text) was acted upon by Another (His Father)!

The Father sent Jesus to be a little lower than the angels and taste death for every man!

The Father then (after Jesus' victorious Death, Burial and Resurrection and Ascension) crowned Jesus with Glory and Honour!  (Jesus certainly did not crown Himself!)

Jesus was acted upon by His Father and responded beautifully, perfectly!

He obeyed!

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered."  Hebrews 5:8

What an inspired Bible we have!

It has no errors ... even in the "voice" of its verbs!

And, I might quickly add ... what a Saviour too!

Glory to God!

                                                                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3:

Jesus and angels!

Look what Hebrews 2:9 says:  "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."

"Made a little lower than the angels!"

The writer of Hebrews (Paul I believe) links this clause about Jesus (used earlier in Hebrews 2:7 also) to Psalm 8.  In fact, he's quoting David.  

How surprised the angels must have been!

God the Son, willing to come die for lost sinners on a Cross of pain and death, joyfully allowed Himself to be made LOWER than angels!  ("I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."  Psalm 40:8)

I don't think the angels have got over it yet!

Peter, talking about the Gospel, reminds us that the "angels desired to look into it!"  " ... Them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."  (1 Peter 1:12)  The angels are astounded at Jesus humiliation!

The verb "look into" literally means to lean forward to see more clearly!  And "desire" is a strong word expressing a craving or even a passion!

Then elsewhere Paul adds this.  As he gives us a synopsis of Jesus' life and ministry, Paul declares "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."  1 Timothy 3:16

Angels again!

They observed Jesus' every move!

"Seen" (in Greek "horao") means to carefully notice, to perceive!  And this verb is in the middle voice indicating that the angels were impacted and changed by what they saw!

No wonder when Jesus got back to heaven ... the angels worshipped Him too!

Now here's what I'm thinking today.

If angels were that ecstatic over Jesus, that amazed, that thrilled ... shouldn't I be "on fire" for Him too?

Of course I should!

Even Mary and Joseph, only 12 years after the Virgin Birth, continued to be astounded!  Luke 2:48 records this:  "And when they saw him, they were amazed." 

Today, friend, fellowship and commune with Him ... that unique Saviour of yours!

Never get over the "wonder!"

                                                                             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4:

Why did Jesus come?

Why did He come to earth 2,000 years ago?

Does the Bible really tells us?

YES!

In fact Jesus Himself tells us ... clearly!

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." So Jesus said in Luke 19:10.

Then one day Jesus, nearing His experience on Calvary, said: "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." (John 12:27) Did you hear that? "FOR THIS CAUSE CAME I." He came to face Death!

And the Disciple whom Jesus loved added this great fact later: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."  1 John 3:8

But ...

In order to save the lost, Jesus had to die for sinners!

In order to endure "His Hour," He had to taste Death for every man!

In order to destroy the works of the devil, He had to endure the old rugged Cross.

JESUS CAME TO OFFER HIMSELF AS GOD’S SINLESS SACRIFICE FOR SINNERS!

Here’s how Paul puts it in one place: "But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH!"  (Hebrews 2:9)

That prepositional phrase states the purpose for Jesus’ Ministry on earth!

"For the suffering of Death!"

He came to die!

He knew it!

He told others about it! "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."  Matthew 16:21

He counted the days until His Hour came!

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" (Luke 12:50) That "baptism" was Calvary!

Those words from Hebrews 2 have burned their way into my heart this morning!

"For the suffering of death!"

The noun "suffering" in Greek is spelled like this: "pathema." It means "affliction." It comes from a verb that means "to experience a sensation (usually painful)!"

Plainly stated: Jesus suffered pain and death on Calvary, enduring God’s wrath against sin, shedding His Blood to bring about our propitiation and make an eternal heaven possible for us old ex-sinners!

He came to be our Saviour!

And He lived sinlessly!

Died vicariously (in our stead)!

Was buried literally (for 3 days and 3 nights)!

And arose victoriously!

Forty days later He ascended visibly!

And some day He is coming back again ... just like He said!

Christian friend, sometime today get off to yourself and thank Him for His "Being made a little lower than the angels ... FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH" ... for you and me!

Praise His dear Name!

After all, that’s WHY He came!

                                                                         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5:

Jesus, the darling Son of God, is said in Hebrews 2:9 to be "crowned with glory and honour!"

Here's the whole verse:  "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."  Hebrews 2:9

The verb "crowned" is a perfect passive form of "stephanoo."  (This words gives us the English names Stephen, Steven and Stephanie!)

Its being passive in voice tells us that Jesus did NOT crown Himself with glory and honour!  Someone Else did that for Him and to him!  God the Father did!

Also its "time" sense is known as "perfect" in Greek.  That means that the "action" (His being crowned) happened in the past.  It is a completed thing.  BUT its influence and dominance and effect still continue to the very present! 

He has been crowned (as a result of His great earthly ministry) and still is crowned ... and always will be crowned!  (The "future" part of that statement is guaranteed by theology, not grammar.)

Paul taught us to "run the race" with patience!  Well, then Who is the very Best Race Runner?  Who is the fastest Competitor?  Who has best won the Crowns? JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!

Paul also told us to fight a good fight, not as one that "beateth the air" either!  And Who is the best Fighter of all?  Again, JESUS is!

And He is so crowned as to indicate such great accomplishments!

The very word for "crowns" here is one which indicates crowns earned in battle or in a great contest!  (This precise word was used for the "wreaths" of victory given the superb victorious athletes in the Olympian and Corinthian Games!)

Jesus defeated the Devil!

He conquered Death!

He vanquished the Grave!

He controlled human Flesh!

He is the all-victorious One!

No wonder Paul said:  "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1st Corinthians 15:57

Jesus not only won the victory.  He IS the Victory!

Yet these crowns of Glory and Honour are not the only ones Jesus will wear!

(Glory, "doxa in Greek, means that which is HEAVY on one's mind or heart.  That which has great weight in one's soul!  That which you value with esteem!  And "honour" is in Greek "time," suggesting that which is of great price, a treasured possession!)

The other "crowns" of Jesus' that I have in mind are mentioned in Revelation 19. There the glorified Jesus is returning to earth a second time, riding a great white horse and coming to reign with a rod of iron!  Of Him it is said:  "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself."

These many crowns are different from the "stephanos" ones!  ("Many" in Greek is "polus" and means large in number or much in degree!)  This Revelation 19:12 word for "crowns" is "diadema."  It's our word diadem!  These indicated crowns, not earned in battle or other feat of strength, but given to One simply because of Who He is!  He is worthy to be crowned! 

He is GOD!  Crown Him!

He is Redeemer!  Crown Him!

He is Alpha!  Crown Him!

He is Omega!  Crown Him!

He is King (of Kings)!  Crown Him!

He is _________!  Crown Him!

See why there have to be so "many?"

He now at the right hand of God is "crowned with glory and honour!"

I love that very thought!

Glory to God!

                                                                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6:

What does the Bible mean when it invites us to "taste" something?

For example: "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm 34:8

Does it means simply to place your tongue on a piece of food ... allowing its "flavor" to permeate one’s taste buds? Or perhaps just to bite off a small morsel of the food, chewing until you can tell if you really like it? Maybe it carries the idea of sampling something that’s on the dinner table, being very careful not to swallow what you’ve taken!

Or maybe it means to EAT the food in question, enjoying every facet of its flavor until you have properly prepared it for digestion!

The reason this question is so important is going to become apparent in a minute.

When the Bible invited me (Psalm 34:8 above) to "taste" and see that the Lord is good ... is that an exhortation to just "sample" Him?

Hardly!

The Hebrew Lexicon says the verb means to taste, then to eat!  It can also carry the parallel meaning of "perception!" To mentally "taste" and "understand" some great truth!

Do not spiritually just "nibble" around the Lord! By faith believe Him, appropriate Him, internalize Him, digest Him, accept Him, worship Him!

Here’s another example: "Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die." (1 Samuel 14:43)  It says Jonathan, ignorantly violating one of His Father’s commands, had "tasted" some honey! Did he just put his tongue on it? Did he just "check" its flavor? NO! He ate enough of it to gain strength thereby! He consumed enough of it to "enlighten" his eyes, thereby strengthening him for battle! Unquestionably in this Samuel text "taste" means to EAT!

When Psalm 119:103 says ... "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth" ... has David just played around with the Word of God, or has he eaten mega-bites of it? He made a spiritual "pig" of himself! He ate the Word of God like a starving man would eat bread!

Many other examples could be given.

But here’s the very HEART of this Bible Study for today.

In Hebrews 2:9 we are told something Jesus tasted!

"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."

There are those who use this verse to try to persuade people that Jesus did NOT really die for all! But that He only "tasted" ("sampled") death for most and then died for a certain "group" of select individuals.

Well, excuse me!

That Greek verb "taste" (like the Hebrews words we’ve just examined) means to "eat" as well as "taste!"

In the King James Bible it (in Greek = "geuomai") is used 15 times. Now truly 12 of those times it is rendered "taste" or "tasted" BUT 3 times it is rendered "eat!"

Friend, that is not sampling a food item ... that is consuming it!

And Jesus, our Darling Saviour, on that rugged Cross of Calvary did NOT die for just a few "friends!" He died for a world full of lost wicked ungodly wretches like you and me!

When He "tasted" death ... he swallowed every bit of it ... paid the full sin debt ... so sinners could be saved!

Listen to John say the same thing in different words. "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1st John 2:2

And ... "The next day John (John the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Or John 12:32 --- "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." That’s Jesus talking!

Now lets listen to Paul. 2nd Corinthians 5:15 --- "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

1st Timothy 2:6 --- "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

Then we’ll conclude with Revelation 5:9 where John on Patmos declares: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

WHY would He die for every man?

He attacked death head-on and conquered it! Defeated it! So much so that Paul could taunt: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1st Corinthians 15:55

Our verse back in Hebrews 2 answers that WHY question!

"That He (Jesus) by the grace of God, should taste death for every man!

He die for us all ... motivated only by the love and grace of an Almighty God!

What Grace!

Little wonder that in a coming glorious millennial Day, multitudes will shout and cry to the Headstone (Jesus) ... GRACE! GRACE! GRACE! See Zachariah 4:7

Sinner, as you read these words today, be mindful that He died for you.

How will you respond to such Love ... and Grace?

                                                                           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7:

God’s Plan of Salvation is PERFECT!

It lacks absolutely nothing!

And that Plan is described in Hebrews 2:10.

"For 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 "Him" of our verse is apparently God the Father!

He is the Member of The Godhead Who devised the path of Redmption!

He is The One Who send the Son! (John 3:16)

And what did the Son need to do (a necessity) to bring about our salvation?

He had to "suffer!"

He had to die!

He had to be sacrificed on the Cross of Calvary!

Jesus put it this way: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up!" John 3:14

And this Plan of Salvation, for Jesus to die in the stead of old lost sinners, is something that "became" God the Father!

In other words, Jesus’ death was "becoming" to God!

That’s exactly what is meant by the opening words of Hebrews 2:10, our verse for today.

Here it is again. ("I have emphasized the words we’re discussing.) "For 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 verb used there, "to become," is in Greek "prepo." It means initially "to stand out, to be conspicuous, to be eminent." (Look! God’s Plan of Salvation "stands out!" It "sticks up" in such a way that it cannot be missed! That is precisely what the Cross of Jesus did then ... and still does today!)

Then the verb comes to mean "that which is fitting and suitable and appropriate and proper!"

It is used 7 times in our King James Bibles. Six of those times it is rendered as "become" or "became" and once it is "comely!"

The Cross which is too horrible for the feminists to behold ... is lovely to God the Father! (One feminist echoed a lot of them when she said "That Cross story is the greatest example of child abuse I’ve ever seen! She spoke blasphemy!) That Cross is fitting to the very loving nature of God ... loving sinners and not wanting them to die and go to Hell Fire for ever and ever!

God the Father had been foretelling the Cross from the Graden of Eden! It is everywhere through the Old Testament!

In the Garden God made Adam’s Bride by opening a hole in his side! That’s exactly how Jesus got His Bride too! A hole was opened in His Side, outof which flowed His precious Blood! Jesus’ Bride is the New Testament Church!

When the father named Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac on an altar of sacrifice ... He was simply foreshadowing the Cross of Calvary where THE Father smote His only begotten Son for our salvation!

And every innocent lamb in Leviticus, that brazen serprent on a pole in Numbers, Rahab’s scarlet red cord in Joshua, the kinsman Redeemer Boaz in Ruth and so on for centuries ... all show us the Cross where Jesus died!

It surely must have been "becoming" to the Father!

So much so that Paul declared "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14.

In fact, the Cross is so alluring that It will be the theme of all Glory! The "slain Lamb" of Revelation is Jesus the crucified (and risen) Saviour! "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12

Praise God for such a "fitting" Subject: The CROSS of Jesus Christ!

Are you saved?

                                                                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8:

When Paul describes God The Father in Hebrews 2:11, here’s what he says: "For 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."

I am assuming It’s God the Father in view here because no doubt the "Captain of our Salvation" is Jesus!

However, keep in mind that Paul elsewhere does say of Jesus: "All things were created by him, and for him!" Colossians 1:16

How astounding these opening words in Hebrews 2:11 really are!

ALL THINGS exist FOR God the Father!

The preposition there is "dia" and means (when used with an accusative object as here) because of, on account of, for the sake of, through or for this reason!

ALL THINGS are here because of God the Father!

They’re here on account of Him too!

For His sake this old world (and universe) are in being!

He is the Reason for life itself!

Wow!

But not only FOR Him does consciousness exist ... but BY Him as well!

Strangely so, this word "by" is in Greek "dia" again! But this time with a genitive object!

Therefore it carries a slightly different emphasis. They exist "through" Him! They are created "by means of" God the Father!

These two (in English) prepositions being in force, all things that are made (visible and invisible) have been created with God as their Beginning (BY HIM) and God as their End (FOR HIM)!

And note that Paul has included this jewel of a phrase simply in passing ... as he furthers his reasoning about our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus!

The next time something is being discussed ... anything ... stop and ask yourself: "HOW is this thing or person or place BY God the Father? And how does it exist FOR God the Father?"

And when you begin to Biblically answer those questions, you have just soared past all the world’s philosophers and counsellors and educatiors, leaving them in a cloud of dust as you walk with God Almighty!

Everything ... BY Him and FOR Him!

Incidentally, It might be a good idea for us also to learn how to inject a "sentence of praise" here and there in our daily conversation and communication.

How very "Paul-like" ("Pauline" the theologians say) that would be!

Praise be to The Great "Author and Finisher" of our faith!

                                                                                      --- Dr. Mike BagwelL

LESSON 9:

What is God's "goal" in our salvation?

Few Scriptures make that any clearer than Hebrews 2:10, which says:  "For it became him (God the Father), for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation (Jesus) perfect through sufferings."

See where we are told God's end design in the salvation of the lost?

"To bring many sons to glory!"

Now today many of us have called "Heaven" itself "Glory!"

As when we say, "We'll see him some day in Glory!"

Using that simple everyday definition we might (correctly) deduce that God saved us to take us to Heaven!  He did!

But let's go a little further than that today.

Let's examine several of these "key" words in our clause.

"Bringing many sons to glory!"

The verb "bringing" is interesting.  It is based upon the Greek word "ago."  It means (obviously) to bring, but in this sense:  to lead!  He is leading us to glory!  He, like the Good Shepherd of course, is ahead of us, guiding all the way!  (Mentally insert Psalm 23 here!)

This verb is an aorist participle too.

That means that to God all this leading is already done!  We are now "in" glory! (Isn't that exactly what Paul teaches us!  We are already in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!  In fact, the Apostle immediately adds that we are now "seated" in heavenly places!  (Ephesians 2:6 --- "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.")

The noun used here is also interesting.  Sons is "huios" and means little born ones! These are blood relatives!  In fact, one expert says that the name implies children with a striking "likeness" to their father!  We are going to be like Him completely, some day!  God has already promised that we shall be "conformed to the image of His Son!"  Romans 8:29

Truly, Paul boldly wrote:  "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  Philippians 1:6  (The Lord started this work of Grace in our hearts ... and He will bring it to fruition too!)

And in Hebrews 12:2 we are reminded that Jesus is not only the Beginner (Author) of our faith ... but also the Finisher!  (We shall be brought to Glory!) 

Plus Hebrews 7:25 dogmatically tells us that our great High Priest is making intercession for us Believers ... and is going to save (deliver, rescue, bring victory to) us "to the uttermost!"  That Greek expression means to the absolute finishing point, to full maturity!

This "bringing many sons to glory" clause reminds me of something Jesus said in Isaiah.  "Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."  (Isaiah 8:18)  This is quoted later in Hebrews 2!  (Verse 13 --- "Behold I and the children which God hath given me.")

If you ever get IN the Family of God ... He WILL BRING YOU to glory!

"Glory" certainly is another precious term for the full manifestation of the darling Son of God!  We shall be like Him in all beautiful traits of character!  "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."  1st John 3:2

What peace!

What security!

If you KNOW you're truly saved, take great joy from this Truth:  It can be promised to you (on the authority of God's precious Word) He WILL BRING YOU TO GLORY!

It is true even of our bodies!  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."  Philippians 3:21

Amen!

                                                                          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10:

Jesus certainly is called some great names in Scripture!

Volumes have been written describing them!

One of my favorites is found in Hebrews 2:10.

Here it is: "For 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."

Jesus is the CAPTAIN of our Salvation!

What an arresting Title this is!

But first, note the fact that His Preeminence here deals with our "salvation!"

The Greek noun is "soteria" and means deliverance, safety or preservation!

He saved us from Hell!

He saved us from God’s righteous Wrath!

He saved us from our sins!

He is The great Deliverer! The Saviour!

But specifically here He’s called the CAPTAIN of such salvation! A "great salvation" Hebrews 2:3 tells us!

This word is (in Greek) "ARCHEGOS."

It means the CHIEF LEADER!

Or a PIONEER!

Or a PREDECESSOR!

Once in the Old Testament a pre-incarnate Jesus called Himself a CAPTAIN! The event is recorded in Joshua 5:13-15. "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so."

Now back to Hebrews 2:10 and its great CAPTAIN!

"ARCHEGOS" is used only 4 times in the whole New Testament!

Here they are. I will capitalize and underline each word that is expressing our noun archegos.

Acts 3:15 --- "And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."

Acts 5:31 --- "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a PRINCE and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."

Hebrews 12:2 --- "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."

Plus our text today. Hebrews 2:10 --- "For 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."

I one day discovered a beautiful word picture to go with this noun "archegos."

Our word here is derived from two "root" words. "Arche" means first! First in time! First in rank! First in power! First in order! First in place!

And "ago" (its counterpart) means "to lead or to bring!"

He is leading the way!

He is at the first of the line!

We are saved because He first love us and shed His Blood for us and prepared the way to Heaven!

That’s one reason why Paul says in Colossians 1:18 --- "That in all things He might have the preeminence." He must be in first place, foremost in each area of existence!

Join me today and salute the CAPTAIN!

Submissively worship and adore Him with all your heart!

                                                                                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11:

There is a part of a Scripture verse that's always puzzled me.

It is found in Hebrews 2:10.

Talking about the Lord Jesus our Great High Priest, it says that God the Father made Him "perfect" through sufferings.

Here's the exact verse, word for word:  "For it became him (God The Father), for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation (Jesus) perfect through sufferings."

The lovely title "Captain of their Salvation" is another Name for Jesus!

"To make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through sufferings."

It is amazing to me that Jesus could be made "perfect" in anything.

Why?

Because He is already perfect in every area!

Now, I know the "standard" answer to that statement.

Brother Bagwell, Jesus here is being viewed in his humanity ... not His deity!

As a man He was made perfect!

I still say that even as a Man ... He was perfect!

Did Jesus, after the Virgin Birth ... after assuming humanity, ever sin?

Did He ever say anything wicked?

Did He ever entertain for one second a vile thought?

Did He ever lust in any manner at all?

Did He ever go to the wrong place?

No!  No!  No!  No!

We are carefully told more than once that Jesus, in His humanity even ... while here on earth ... NEVER sinned!

He is "without sin!"  Hebrews 4:15 and 9:28

Then .... back to Hebrews 2:10 ... how was Jesus ever "made perfect" in anything?

Let's look at the context of those words.

"For 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."

His being "made perfect" here has a goal.  "Bringing many sons unto glory."  That's another way of saying to save lost souls ... then transforming them to mature believers ... eventually landing them in heaven for eternity!

He was made "perfect" somehow in bringing sinners into the Family of God.

Then notice ... He was "made perfect" through sufferings.  The noun being "pathema," means torturous afflictions, intense enduring suffering!

The word, my friend, is talking about what He experienced on the Cross of Calvary!

Jesus was already perfect in every area and in every way but one!  He had never faced death!  He had never before been the Sacrifice for sinners!

When He died for you and me He, as a Saviour, was made "perfect!"

He Who had been perfect in all He did ... was made "perfect" in redeeming sinners too!  By means of His shed Blood on Calvary!

Let's examine the verb "made perfect."  It is "teleioo." It means to carry through to completion!  He did THAT on the Cross!  It means to bring to the end!  Redemption is accomplished!  It means "to reach the goal!"  Jesus, never before being the Offering for Sin, was "brought to the place of complete accomplishment" as our Saviour ... through (by means of) His sufferings on Golgotha's Hill!

Just as He had "passed" every test He faced on earth during those 33+ years, He now "perfected, completed, finished, fully furnished, passed 100%" His Task of saving work on the Cross!

Notice also that it was God the Father Who made Jesus "perfect" through those sufferings!

He superintended the Cross that Day!

Jesus was (Isaiah 53) ... "smitten of God, and afflicted."  Then "the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."  Then again ... "It pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief!"

And through it all ... He was "made perfect!"

What a Saviour we have today!

Thank Him for your PERFECT Salvation!

                                                                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12:

We see a thrilling truth today in Hebrews 2:11.  Look:  "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."

"He that sanctifieth" is Jesus!

He today does so (sanctifies us) through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit, but none the less ... Jesus is the Source of our sanctification!  In John 17:19 our Lord prays to His Father: "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."  Wow!

"They who are sanctified" are we Believers in Christ Jesus, saved by His Grace!

In 1st Corinthians 1 Paul writes ... "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus!"  1st Corinthians 1:2  (If those Corinthians were sanctified ... you'd better believe you are!)

And we "are all of one!"

Jesus and us ... "all of one!"

It that speaks of anything ... it speaks of unity!

Jesus in Heaven right now at the right Hand of God ... and me struggling along down here seeking diligently to live for God ... "ALL OF ONE!"

The phrase "all of one" is used in English to typify harmony.  Listen to Peter use it:  "Finally, be ye all of one mind!"  1st Peter 3:8

How does the Bible teach us this "one-ness," this union with Christ?

By word pictures often!

Jesus is the Head. We are the Body!

Jesus is the Vine!  We are the branches!

Jesus is the Foundation (Cornerstone)!  We are the building!

Jesus is the Food!  We are the hungry starving "eaters!"

Jesus is the King!  We are the subjects!

All these metaphors depict close association and mutual existence!

We live because He lives!  See John 14:19.

We share His very Life!  Paul plainly said that Christ lived in him!  See Galatians 2:20!

We are "all of one!"

How glorious is that Truth!

Yet, there's more I believe!

The Greek expression "all of one" is "pas dia hos."  More precisely, it's "pantes di' hen."  "Pas" means all or everyone.  "Dia," the preposition, means through the channel of or (when used with the accusative as here) because of, on account of, for the sake of or for the reason of!  Wow!  And "hos," a pronoun, means which, what, he or she! 

It is realistically possible that the phrase is teaching us that both Jesus (as Virgin Born and as Saviour of lost mankind) and us have come from one heavenly Father, Jehovah God Himself! 

Several language scholars believe this is the case!

Now, do not misunderstand me!  I am NOT saying that Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity is anything but eternal ... co-eternal and co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit! 

I am saying that as the God-Man, as the 100% human yet 100% God Who came to die on the Cross and redeem us sinners ... Jesus came from the Father!  Many verses prove that to be true.

John 3:16 --- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

1st John 4:14 --- "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."

And Jesus declared the same thing in John 20:21 --- "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

Yes!

And this same Father Who gave us Jesus the Saviour, Jesus the Man Who is God (Better said;  Jesus the God Who is man!)  ... is the same Father Who through the shed Blood of Jesus saved our souls from hell!

In the great Plan of Salvation ... the Father is the Initiator!  He is the Originator! (Then Jesus is The Sacrifice!  And the Holy Spirit is the Executor!)

Hence ... our Hebrews 2:11 verse is true in more than one way! 

"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."

Yes, we and Jesus (old ex-sinners and the sinless Lord) are "all of one!"

The Father gave the Saviour!  And the same Father saved the sinners!

That gives us and Jesus great linkage!

He, our Great High Priest, is so intimately linked to us ... that it can be Biblically said, we are "all of one!"  (In Jesus today I am in heavenly places!  I am sitting at the Hand of God too!  I am already victorious!  Listen to Paul in Ephesians 2:6 where he tells us God ... "hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!)  God has already done this!

If we are that "close" to Jesus right now ... "one" with Him ... no wonder the rest of the verse says:  "For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren!"

Amen!

I'm delighted just being a "son" of God!  Born again into His Family!

I'm thrilled being a "servant" of God!  Working for Him evermore!

I've not got over Jesus telling me I'm a "friend" of God either!  "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."  John 15:15

But to be told (reverently) that I'm also a "brother" of Christ Jesus ... that is simply overwhelming!

It can only be so because we share the same Father!

He in an eternal sense!

Me just in an adopted (or re-born from sin) sense!

But ... still ... it's great!

And if He's not ashamed to call me His brother ... I suspect I'm an "heir" too!

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ!"  Romans 8:17

"Ashamed" blends two Greek words.  One ("epi") meaning upon and the other ("aischunomai") meaning disfigured or disgraced or embarrassed!

He's not ashamed of us!

If I am that identified  with the ascended reigning sinless soon-returning Jesus right now, what confidence and peace and assurance that provides to live for Him every day!

"All of One!"

Praise the good Lord!

He HAS done "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!"  Ephesians 3:20

                                                                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13:

Better than anyone who ever lived, Jesus had mastered the Old Testament Scriptures!

A great deal of what He said while on earth was carefully crafted from the lips of those ancient prophets, poets and lawgivers!

I am thinking of a Passage in Hebrews 2 where Jesus quotes repeatedly from the Psalms and Isaiah.

The verses I have in mind read like this in the King James Bible:  Jesus is ... "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me."  Hebrews 2:12-13

"I will declare Thy Name unto My brethren" is a statement from Psalm 22:22

"In the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto Thee" comes from the same text also (Psalm 22:22).

Jesus is talking to His Father, making Him promises one after another!

"I will put My Trust in Him" is likely from Psalm 16:1 (although a host of other verses say about the same thing).

And "Behold I and the children which the Lord hath given me" is taken from Isaiah 8:18.

No wonder Jesus talked so much about the authenticity and reliability of the Old Testament!

He lived by it!

In John 10:35 He proclaimed:  "The Scripture cannot be broken!"

And earlier He had said:  "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."  John 5:39

Or think about what He said to the devil in Matthew 4:4 --- "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God."

Even when He was dying on the Cross the Word of God continually escaped His dry parched mouth!  "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"  Matthew 27:46 quoting Psalm 22:1

And His final words before dismissing His last breath:  "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." (Luke 23:46)  But our Lord was quoting Psalm 31:5 --- "Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth."  

Based upon the life of our Lord I say this:  New Testament Christian DO NOT forget the Bible is composed 78% of the Old Testament!  It is the Word of God too!  Neglect it not!  Become acquainted with the Psalmists.  Walk with those great Prophets.  Master even the Laws of the Pentateuch.  Recall those precious events the historians give us too.

In so doing you will greatly benefit yourself spiritually!

It's like Paul said to Timothy ... "From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."  2 Timothy 3:15

Men and women, brothers and sisters ... study, study and study some more, claiming the dear Holy Spirit as Teacher!  After all, we have this promise from Jesus ... "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."  John 16:13

Amen!

                                                                                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14:

In our text (Hebrews 2:9-13) Jesus is the highly honored High Priest of God!  Verse 17 even calls Him That!  "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

Our Lord, crucified, buried and risen again is now at the Right Hand of God, "Crowned with Glory and Honor!" As such He is going to keep some Promises He made earlier in His Ministry!

The first two are found in Hebrews 2:12, our study verse for today.  Jesus is speaking to His Father.  "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." 

Our great Intercessor commits Himself to "declare God's Name unto His brethren!"  He is here quoting something He had prophetically said back in Psalm 22:22 --- "I will declare thy name unto my brethren."  This is a word-for-word quote!  That's unusual.

The New Testament word for "declare" is "apaggello" and means to announce, to make public, to declare, to tell or to show.  The verb is in the future tense.  He planned to do this sometime after it was written (presumably back in Psalm 22).  Since His Ascension He has been doing so fervently!  The noun "brethren" is "adelphos," meaning people born from the same womb!   The corresponding Hebrew verb for "declare" in Psalm 22 is "saphar" and means to number, to scribe, to reckon or to declare!  It's in the Piel stem ... revealing an intensive verb with vigorous action behind it here!  The Lord is fervently going to do this!

I also believe He is doing so every time His children meet for church on earth ... even today!  He is HERE with us through His Holy Spirit!  And He promised "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)  When we meet at church and the Spirit "moves" in our presence ... Jesus is there, our risen living Saviour ... declaring His Father's Name to us!  (That will make us look at preaching in a different light!)

Then a second goal of Jesus is stated.  "In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee."  Again, this is told to the Father.  The Old Testament parallel verse puts it this way:  "In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."  (Psalm 22:22b)

In both places Jesus is leading praise to God the Father!

The Greek verb "sing praise" is "humneo," giving us our word "hymn!  Jesus ... a Song Leader!  A "Chief Musician!"  Again, the future tense is used ... suggesting that the apex of this preaching and praise and song meeting will be in Glory (Heaven) when we all get there!  Jesus will be The Moderator, The Leader!  The Hebrew word for "praise" is "halal" of "hallelujah" fame!  I strongly suspect that the real Hallelujah Chorus has NOT YET been sung!

The next time your church choir or special music folks sing ... just remember that all true PRAISE is a forerunner to the atmosphere of Heaven!  And remember that if the music is truly Spirit-filled, our Great High Priest is right in the middle of it uplifting His Father!

The greatest Praise of all remains in the future.  But we sure can get started on it right now!  There's nothing wrong with a "dress rehearsal!"

And again I say ... Jesus will be right in the "middle" of it!  Biblically so!  "Right in the middle" is exactly what the Greek word "mesos" ("in the midst") means!  (So does the Hebrew word "tavek!")

I believe I shall never look at a song service or a testimony meeting the same again! And the next time a preacher starts exalting the Lord God Almighty ... I'm going to start looking for Jesus!  He will be nearby for sure!

                                                                              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15:

Jesus said these words long ago, perhaps in eternity past.  "I will put My trust in Him." 

Now that's God The Second Person of The Trinity placing His utter confidence in God The First Person!

This being so, we are given a "glimpse" into the bond of fellowship and communion that existed between The Persons of The Godhead from everlasting.

"I trust Him!"

I KNOW The Son said this as far back as Psalm 16:1 --- "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust."  This statement was made 1,000 years before the Virgin Birth of Jesus!

Now the interesting thing (and the point of today's Lesson here) is that these words are re-quoted in Hebrews 2:13.

And this time it is Jesus as our Great High Priest talking!  He is speaking to the Church, His people, and declares to them:  "I will put my trust in him."  (I remind you again ... this is Jesus trusting the Father!)

Wow!

But, are we sure Jesus is really saying this to the Church?

Here's the two verse "context" of Hebrews 2:11-13.  "For both he that sanctifieth (Jesus) and they who are sanctified (the saved) are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare Thy Name (Father) unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee.  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me."

You can plainly see that Jesus is talking (preaching really) to His Brethren, to the Church!

Now, WHEN is Jesus saying this?

He said it an eternity ago.  (Psalm 16 is unquestionably a "Messianic Psalm! Peter and Paul both attest this as fact.)

He also said it during His days on earth!  Listen to Him in John 6:57 --- "The living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father!"  And is this not trust?  "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."  John 8:28!  Or immediately following, John 8:29 --- "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."  Yet again --- "Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me." (John 8:49)  And Let me add one more.  John 14:31 --- "That the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do."  That's trust!

Yet Jesus not only said "I will put My trust in Him" long ago (Psalm 16) and during His earthly Ministry (John's Gospel again and again) ... He is still saying it today!

Right now!

At the Father's Right Hand!

He said it yesterday!

And again this morning!

He constantly says it to His Church, to His Brethren, to His Children!

"I will put My trust in Him"

Every time your preacher preaches or the choir sings or a brother or sister testifies, claiming Scripture as Truth ... Jesus is there ... saying AMEN to those who TRUST the Father!

Of course Jesus is not visibly present or bodily present with us yet ... but He surely is WITH US through His precious Holy Spirit!  In fact He (Jesus) through the Spirit indwells us!

How else can Paul so often speak of Christ being IN us?

Let's listen to Jesus talk to us one more time.  He is testifying today.  "I will put My trust in Him"

Talk about the High Priest being "close" to us!

Talk about a risen glorified Jesus, God the Son, Second Person of the Godhead, "never leaving us nor forsaking us!"

Talk about Him being our Exhorter, Advocate, Encourager!

I want to hear Him say it to me again:  "I will put My trust in Him"

And if Jesus does, I am certainly going to!

Thank you, Lord! 

                                                                                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16:

Jesus loved to quote the Book of Isaiah!

In Hebrews 2:13 He does so again!

There Jesus is saying:  "Behold I and the children which God hath given me."

That's a pretty direct rendering of Isaiah 8:18.  "Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."

In the Isaiah Passage the Prophet is doing what so many Old Testament preachers did ... giving an illustrated sermon!  He and his wife (Isaiah 8:3) have been given two children.  The Prophet used both his sons in sermons at various times!  Shear-jashub, the older boy, went with his Daddy to the Revival out by the Fuller's Field in Isaiah 7:3-16.  Shear-jashub means "a remnant shall return!"  He was the one of the "points" in Isaiah's sermon that day!

The other boy, the younger one, was named "Maher-shalal-hash-baz" which means "haste ye, haste ye to the spoil!  Isaiah preaches about this son (the meaning of his name anyway) in chapter 8 of his prophecy.

In other words, these children are critical to Isaiah in His work.  They are the very "signs and wonders" of his ministry!

That's why he said what he did in Isaiah 8:18.  "Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."

Jesus adopts these words in Hebrews 3:13 and repeats them concerning HIS Children, the Church!

Just as Isaiah was thankful for his children ... so is Jesus!

Just as Isaiah made wise use of his children ... so does Jesus!

Just as Isaiah mentions his children ... so does Jesus constantly!

Just as Isaiah was thrilled with his children ... so is Jesus with His!

Just as Isaiah knew his children ... so does Jesus!

And just as Isaiah identified his children ... so does Jesus!

Just think.

Jesus our Great High Priest ... visiting His Church at every service (through the Holy Spirit) ... telling us that we ARE His children, calling us by name and using us constantly for His Glory!

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16

"And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth."  1st John 5:6

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."  Galatians 4:6

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."  Romans 8:15

And It is Jesus behind the Holy Spirit doing this identifying and assuring!

Now hear Jesus alone one more time:  "Behold I and the children which God hath given me."

Amen!

How very encouraging!

Is that you, Lord?

What did you say?

That I am one of your children?

Yes!

Thank you!

What assurance!

                                                                           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

POSTSCRIPT: 

We by now, after 15 Lessons from this text, should have a much clearer view of Jesus and what He is doing for us today as our great High Priest!

"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.  For 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.  For both he that sanctifieth and they who 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.  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me."  Hebrews 2:9-13

If you have "stayed with it" for this entire Bible exposition ... you're a good student of the Word!

May God bless these truths to your spiritual growth and to His Glory!

                                                                              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell