Jesus Greater than the Angels, Part II
Notes
Transcript
Give Heed
Give Heed
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
Our writer, after shoring up our belief that Jesus is superior to Angels, moves into the action phase of this knowledge. What good is it to know something and not act on it?
The example given reflects a ship that is unattended. It slips anchor and drifts away. So too if we as believers do not keep our guard and hold tight to our anchor. We must be proactive in holding tight to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Remember when you first started a relationship with your spouse? You nurtured it. You brought her flowers. You wore that dress he loved so much. As you married, you continued that same attention to detail through the years. Now, 50, 60 years later you still act the same way. And your love and your relationship is stronger than the first day you met. Stronger today than yesterday. Not as strong as tomorrow.
That is the same attention that we need to give to our relationship with Jesus Christ. Even more so! Hebrews 2:1 says:
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
(or drift away from Him!)
This is the first of 5 admonitions given in Hebrews., and the weakest one.
Hebrews 12: 25 is the strongest warning us not to turn away from Him.
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.
Hebrews 2:1 stems from lack of attention. Hebrews 12:25 is from actively turning away!
More spiritual problems arise from neglect than from any other failure on our part. More marriages fail through neglect than anything else. A fire that is not tended regularly, will die out. You have to tend the fire and stoke the flames to keep warm...
During the Old Testament time, those who neglected the word were punished.
1 But the children of Israel committed a great trespass, and purloined part of the accursed thing; and Achar the son of Charmi, the son of Zambri, the son of Zara, of the tribe of Juda, took of the accursed thing; and the Lord was very angry with the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men to Gai, which is by Bæthel, saying, Spy out Gai: and the men went up and spied Gai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said to him, Let not all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and take the city by siege: carry not up thither the whole people, for the enemy are few. 4 And there went up about three thousand men, and they fled from before the men of Gai. 5 And the men of Gai slew of them to the number of thirty-six men, and they pursued them from the gate, and destroyed them from the steep hill; and the heart of the people was alarmed and became as water.
10 And the Lord said to Joshua, Rise up; why hast thou fallen upon thy face? 11 The people has sinned, and transgressed the covenant which I made with them; they have stolen from the cursed thing, and put it into their store. 12 And the children of Israel will not be able to stand before their enemies; they will turn their back before their enemies, for they have become an accursed thing: I will not any longer be with you, unless ye remove the cursed thing from yourselves.
How much more responsibility do we have today, having the benefit of the full scripture.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,
Indeed, the Word was spoken by Jesus to the first disciples, and past on to the next generation, who pass it on to the next.
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Not only has the word come down directly from Christ over a generation or two, but God himself testifies to the truth by “signs and wonders and by various miracles” .
God also, through the Holy Spirit, handed out “gifts according to His own will”
48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
7 And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” 10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
The believers who received this letter would have known of the miracles and signs and wonders worked by Jesus and His disciples. But memories can fade unless you keep the fires burning.
Are we like the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7?
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: 2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
Isn’t it grand that we have the entire Bible? We have the word of the Savior from Genesis to Revelation. God has revealed His will more to us than the saints at the time of this writing. Yet, we are acting the same way! We are neglecting that which we did when we became believers. We are drifting away! Can we find our anchor and stay strong?
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Greater than Angels (Hebrews 1:4–2:18)
The next time you sing “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” recall that the composer, Robert Robinson, was converted under the mighty preaching of George Whitefield, but that later he drifted from the Lord, He had been greatly used as a pastor, but neglect of spiritual things led him astray. In an attempt to find peace, he began to travel. During one of his journeys, he met a young woman who was evidently very spiritually minded.
“What do you think of this hymn I have been reading?” she asked Robinson, handing him the book. It was his own hymn! He tried to avoid her question but it was hopeless, for the Lord was speaking to him. Finally, he broke down and confessed who he was and how he had been living away from the Lord.
“But these ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing,” the woman assured him; and through her encouragement, Robinson was restored to fellowship with the Lord.
The Earth is Subject to Man
The Earth is Subject to Man
Our writer continues:
5 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him? 7 “You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands; 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.
Our writer is quoting Psalm 8 when he reminds the readers that God created man a little lower than the angels, yet subjected earth and all creation to man’s dominion. The Psalm continues:
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 Thou madest him a little less than angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour; 6 and thou hast set him over the works of thy hands: thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 sheep and all oxen, yea, and the cattle of the field; 8 the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, the creatures passing through the paths of the sea. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is thy name in all the earth!
But since the fall, creation seems to be against man. We do not have dominion over the beasts of the ground, the birds of the air or the fish of the sea. We lost dominion by turning against God. In fact, a life in paradise was traded for a life of pain and suffering.
5 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him? 7 “You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands; 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Jesus took on humanity so He could suffer and die for our sins and restore the dominion that was intended from the beginning. Jesus exercised dominion over all creation while He walked on this earth. And now, He has returned to His glory. We will join Him (soon) and regain for ourselves that lost dominion.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
If Jesus had not become man, suffered and died for our sins, none of this would have been fulfilled. Angels are not human and cannot die for the sins of others. Angels cannot restore the dominion we lost. Only God can.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Jesus was Humbled (Briefly)
Jesus was Humbled (Briefly)
Christ gave up His glory to become man. He suffered, died and rose again for our sins. He ascended into heaven and has regained His glory. He now shares that glory with all who trust in Him.
22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Hebrews affirms these words of Jesus:
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”
The writer of Hebrews quotes Isaiah 8:17-18
17 And one shall say, I will wait for God, who has turned away his face from the house of Jacob, and I will trust in him. 18 Behold I and the children which God has given me: and they shall be for signs and wonders in the house of Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells in mount Sion.
While the immediate reference was to Isaiah and his sons, ultimately it was referring to Jesus. Not only are we His brethren, we are also His children.
If Jesus Christ had not come to this earth and give up His glory to become man, we could not share in His glory. The Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection must all go together.
Christmas, as I said last week, is a minor celebration compared to Easter. But as I think about is, one is not possible without the other. We celebrate the Birth of Jesus, mourn His death and celebrate His resurrection.
14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
Angels cannot die. Jesus did not come to die for Angels (v. 16) He came to save us. That means He had to become human to be the propitiation for the sins of humans. And only through His death could He defeat Satan. Satan has not been destroyed, for we see him active today. But, satan has been rendered ineffective against those who trust in Jesus as their savior.
We know that Satan can do nothing without God’s permission. He cannot take someone’s life. He cannot steal your soul. But, Satan is the author of sin. Sin brings death. In this sense, Satan holds dominion over death.
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 3 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” 4 Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 “However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.” 6 So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”
Later Job’s wife urged him to “curse God and die”.
7 Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Satan uses man’s fear of death to gain control of his emotions and thoughts - indeed his very life. But when we put our trust in Jesus as the perfecter of our faith, we have been delivered from the authority of Satan and from the fear of death.
Look at those you who do not trust in Jesus. Do they fear death? Do they live their lives like they are trying to cram every experience they can into the hours they have left. They are trying to fill a deep empty pit in their souls.
Blaise Pascal, in his seminal work “PENSÉES” wrote:
"What is it then that this desire and this inability proclaim to us, but that there was once in man a true happiness of which there now remain to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings, seeking from things absent the help he does not obtain in things present? But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself.
He only is our true good, and since we have forsaken Him, it is a strange thing that there is nothing in nature which has not been serviceable in taking His place; the stars, the heavens, earth, the elements, plants, cabbages, leeks, animals, insects, calves, serpents, fever, pestilence, war, famine, vices, adultery, incest. And since man has lost the true good, everything can appear equally good to him, even his own destruction, though so opposed to God, to reason, and to the whole course of nature. Some seek good in authority, others in scientific research, others in pleasure. Others, who are in fact nearer the truth, have considered it necessary that the universal good, which all men desire, should not consist in any of the particular things which can only be possessed by one man, and which, when shared, afflict their possessor more by the want of the part he has not, than they please him by the possession of what he has. They have learned that the true good should be such as all can possess at once, without diminution and without envy, and which no one can lose against his will. And their reason is that this desire being natural to man, since it is necessarily in all, and that it is impossible not to have it, they infer from it ...
Pascal, Blaise. Pascal's Pensées (pp. 97-98). Kindle Edition.
Jesus did not take on the nature of Angels to save the Angels. Instead He stooped lower than Angels to become man. And not just any man, but a Jew - the seed of Abraham. The Jews were a hated race by the world. Yet, He became a Jew...
17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Being pure spirits, Angels cannot identify with the needs and suffering of mortal man. But by becoming man, Jesus could.
And by His doing so, He able to experience all that life dishes out. He was a helpless baby, a growing child and a mature adolescent. He experienced weariness, hunger and thirst. He knew what is was to be despised, hurt and rejected. He was lied about, falsely accused, tortured and died. All this so that He would be a “merciful and faithful high priest in all things pertaining to God.”
And “to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
And through all this, he was tempted by Satan and the evil spirits. Yet, He did not sin. He did not yield to the temptation.
Because of that fact, He is able to strength us when we are tempted to sin. Because He has defeated the enemy, He is able to give us the grace we need to also overcome.
He comes to our aid when asked. But we can only ask when we are in a strong relationship with Him.
Closing
Closing
As we close this section of Hebrews, we cannot help but to marvel at the grace and wisdom of God. It seems foolish for God to become man. But, it was this very real sacrifice made by the Son that made our salvation possible.
When Jesus became man, He did not become inferior to angels, for in His human form he accomplished something the angels could not - He made it possible for us to join Him in Glory!
Today is Palm Sunday. This is traditionally the day of the week Jesus entered Jerusalem to the cries of “Hallelujah”, and ended the week to cries of “crucify Him.”
Let us ponder this during the week as we remember the passion of our Lord. I hope to see some of you Thursday morning to meditate on the Way of the Cross on the plaza.
Let us pray.