Hebrews 2: The Humanity and Exaltation of Christ

Hebrews 2

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

5 For to the angels has he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that you are mindful of him? or the son of man that you visit him?

7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands:

8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

12 Saying, I will declare your name to my brothers, in the middle of the church will I sing praise to you.

13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God has given me.

14 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Why in all things it behooved him to be made like to his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

Hebrews 2 provides a profound explanation of the incarnation of Christ, His temporary humiliation below the angels to accomplish man's redemption, and His subsequent exaltation as our merciful High Priest.

The Superiority of the Gospel and the Danger of Neglect

Because the message of salvation began to be spoken by the Lord Himself and was confirmed by signs, wonders, and miracles from the Holy Spirit, we must give earnest heed to these truths so we do not let them slip Hebrews 2:1-4. If the law given through angels was steadfast and required strict obedience, there is no way to escape if we neglect such a great salvation Hebrews 2:2-3.

The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus

Jesus, though the Creator, was made "a little lower than the angels" specifically for the purpose of suffering death for every human being Hebrews 2:9PP 64.3+1.

• The Original Design for Man: God originally put all things in subjection under man's feet, crowning him with glory and honor Hebrews 2:7-8RAR 30.2.

• The Reality of the Fall: Currently, we do not yet see all things put under man, as the dominion was lost through sin Hebrews 2:824LtMs, Ms 112, 1909, par. 1.

• Jesus as our Representative: We see Jesus, who took on human nature—a nature inferior to His heavenly nature—to taste death by the grace of God for everyone Hebrews 2:95BC 1130.6+1.

• Perfected Through Suffering: It was fitting for God to make the Captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings so that He could bring many sons unto glory Hebrews 2:1024LtMs, Ms 112, 1909, par. 1. Through these sufferings, He learned obedience and became a perfect Saviour, capable of understanding and saving humanity Hebrews 5:8-9ST May 20, 1889, par. 8.

The Necessity of the Incarnation

For Christ to be our Redeemer, He had to identify Himself fully with the human family, unashamed to call us His brothers Hebrews 2:11SOTW 91.1.

• Taking Our Nature: He did not take on the nature of angels, but rather the "seed of Abraham," meaning He took on the nature of man in his fallen condition, though without the taint of sin Hebrews 2:1617MR 24.2+1.

• Destroying Death: By becoming a partaker of flesh and blood, He was able through death to destroy the power of the devil, who held the power of death, and deliver those who lived in fear of bondage Hebrews 2:14-15RAR 30.2.

• Succoring the Tempted: Because He Himself suffered being tempted in all points as we are, He is uniquely able to help and comfort those who are currently undergoing temptation Hebrews 2:18+1ST March 9, 1888, par. 15+1.

Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest

The ultimate goal of Christ’s humiliation was to qualify Him for His priestly officeAERS 156.1+1.

• Making Reconciliation: In all things, it behooved Him to be made like His brethren so that He could be a merciful and faithful High Priest, making reconciliation for the sins of the people Hebrews 2:17SITI September 18, 1884, page 569.13.

• Access to Grace: Because we have such a High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy and help in our time of need Hebrews 4:15-16DA 166.3.

• The Ongoing Work: Having offered Himself as the one perfect sacrifice, He has passed into the heavens and now pleads in the sanctuary above on behalf of every believer Hebrews 9:24PP 353.1+1. 🌟