Hebrews 2:5-18
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.”,
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
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. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Devotion
Up to this point, the author of Hebrews has focused on the superiority of Christ. In this section, he makes a clarification concerning His superiority. Christ’s superiority was not invalidated by His humiliation, suffering and death as a man. The author presents a vigorous defense and explanation of the necessity and appropriateness of Christ’s humiliation, as central to His redemptive work on our behalf.
Today, people still misunderstand the meaning of Christ’s incarnation, humiliation, and death. Some believe that Christ died as an example for us. Others claim that He died as a result of the prevailing political tension. Some hold that His death has no significance for mankind today. This passage contains valuable doctrinal truths concerning the mediatory work of Christ. In this passage, we learn how it was both fitting and necessary for Christ to partake of humanity in order for him to mediate our case before God.
In verses 5-8, the author quotes Psalm 8. In Psalm 8, David writes concerning man’s dignified position in God’s creation. Here the author uses this same text to speak of the dignity of the man, Christ Jesus. The point of these verses is to demonstrate the dignity and superiority of Jesus by showing that He is the ruler of the world which is about to come.
In verses 8-13, we see the author focus on the humility of Jesus. Here we see the humiliation and suffering of Jesus was no mistake. It was God’s grand design, motivated by His grace, to save sinners. Far from invalidating Christ’s superiority, this enhanced it, by allowing Him to become our Savior and Mediator. When He suffered and died, He became the author of our salvation. Now Christ is able to bring many people to glory, and this pleases His Father.
In verses 14-16, we see an emphasis on the victory of Jesus. The writer now goes on to explain specifically how Christ became like the children He redeemed. Here we see it was evident that Christ had to assume humanity so that He could die a human death. Because He became a man, and died a human death, He is able to give help to “the seed of Abraham”, (those who are of the faith of Abraham; cf. Gal. 3:7).
Lastly, we see the writer focus on the mediacy of Jesus. Christ’s humiliation had a purpose. Here we see that Christ had no other choice. “He was under obligation.” The mediatory work of Christ imposed upon Him the requirement of becoming a man. Thus, the humiliation of Jesus finds its’ basic explanation in necessity rather than accident. The mediator has one grand function which will be elaborated upon more later. It is that of being sympathetic with sinners (cf. 4:14-5:3). The sympathy is not contrived, but is real, and comes as a result of His own personal experience with temptations that assail us.
It was “fitting,” and in fact, “necessary” for Christ to become “a little lower than the angels”. Only in so doing could He become our redeemer and mediator.
Questions to Ponder
In what sense is Jesus “a little lower than the angels”? Does this diminish the quality of His person? Does it enhance the quality of His work? If so, how? Do you think it is proper to address Jesus as “brother”? Why did Christ have to die? How does the death of Christ deliver us from the fear of death?
Prayer Points
- Praise the Lord as Humble Servant, Savior, Mediator, Author of our salvation, Redeemer.
- Invite the Spirit of Truth to search your heart and reveal anything that you may need to confess. Tell Him you are sorry and receive His grace, mercy and forgiveness afresh.
- Thank Him for His loving kindness, compassion and unlimited patience. Thank Him for being the perfect sacrifice, for drinking the cup of wrath that we deserved so that we may be with Him now and for all of eternity.
- Pray now for the leaders in our land, in our cities and schools. Pray that our neighbors will know they are deeply loved by the Lord and for them to respond to His kindness that leads them into repentance. Pray they will accept Him as Lord and Savior.
Suggested Prayer
Father of Kindness,
Thank You for providing salvation, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully man to be the perfect Lamb of God. Thank You for conquering the grave and defeating the enemy. Thank You that there is nothing that we go through that Jesus hasn’t taken on Himself. Thank You Lord for being a sympathetic Great High Priest.
Grant us encouragement and strength today, lead us into Your truth through Your Word and encourage us as we share the love of Jesus with those around us. I ask in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, amen.