"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.”

Hebrews 2:9

Today we discover why the writer thought it important to emphasize Jesus’ superiority to the angels. The chapter gives three reasons, two of which are in today’s reading. Verses 1–4 are the first warning passage of Hebrews, referring to the message spoken through angels. These words reflect an ancient Jewish tradition that the law of Moses was mediated by angels. If violations of the law (mediated by angels) received just punishment, how much more serious is it for those who neglect the gospel of salvation declared by the Lord?

The second reason is in verses 5–9, a meditation on Psalm 8:4–6. In the Greek Old Testament (which the writer always quotes) these verses refer to humans being both a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor, having been given dominion over all God’s handiwork. Psalm 8 is Genesis 1 set to music, celebrating humanity’s dignity as made in the image of God.

The section begins by claiming that dominion over the world to come has been given not to angels but to humans. Jesus enters the picture in verse 9 (the first time his name appears in Hebrews). At present we don’t see humans exercising our God-given dominion, but we do see Jesus, the representative human. He was made a little lower than the angels, suffering death for everyone, and is now exalted above the angels, crowned with glory and honor, where he rules the world to come (v. 5) with the power and authority of God.

CLOSING PRAYER

You came to us as the Lamb of God, Jesus, and now you reign for us as King of Kings. I come to you in awe, with thanksgiving, and with praise. Help me, that who I am will testify to the wonder of who you are.

(Edited from Encounter with God)