“But we see Jesus”

Hebrews 2:1-9

Hebrews 2:1–9 NKJV

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 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 do not yet see all things put under him. 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, might taste death for everyone.

Building the Case for Jesus

1-5 – God now speaks through Jesus. Col. 2:9

A clear distinction. God spoke in these various ways at various times, but NOW speaks through His Son.

In the person of Jesus, we see one that inherently has all the fullness of God within Him

Colossians 2:9 “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;”

6-14 – Jesus is better than the angels.

The inadequacy of the angels toward this purpose and being is shown plainly, as is the superiority of Jesus.

(1-4) “...the more earnest heed...”

“Therefore”

Incorporating all that we see and know so far – that Jesus is in a place of power, authority, and might, and that the angels are NOT in such a position...

We must “heed” what we have “heard”, or they will “slip”. Lk. 2:19; Mark 4:24-25

PAY ATTENTION to what we have listened to. God doesn't say these things for His health!

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The opposite can be true – we can hear, but fail to give importance to what we hear.

Mark 4:24-25 – The WAY that we hear is important.

This is why many people can read through the whole Bible and never be converted. They don't WANT to listen, and so they never hear the Truth.

The idea of these things slipping, or drifting away, implies that we once HAD them, however! 10:26-31 deals with this very situation.

We don't have to commit terrible sins to lose the truth; it can be simple negligence that takes us away from it.

God's Word has always had an effect.

Spoken by angels – it made a difference! All through the O.T., the role of angels was very important, as being the messengers of God.

Every time that Word was disobeyed, there was a consequence.

Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, etc... all suffered at least partly because of their sin.

We are in the same boat if we neglect our salvation.

Interesting that the “word” of v. 2 becomes “salvation” of verse 3. This is because it's the same thing!

Spoken by Jesus in His ministry, and carried on and CONFIRMED by those that heard Him – Apostles & Disciples.

There is NO ESCAPE for one who regards the Word of God as a trifling thing. This Word is our Salvation.

God backs up His Word with proof. 2 Pet. 1:3

We are extremely blessed in that the Bible is all the proof we need

2 Peter 1:3 “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”

However, the canon of Scripture was not a luxury that the Christians of the 1stCentury had.

Throughout all of God's communication with Man, He has given him tools to show that what He is saying is true.

There is definitely room for questioning God, as long as we take the time to look at His proof!

However, we should never think that we are OWED this proof. God has done this “according to His own will” - NOT ours!

(5-8) “...all things in subjection under his feet...”

Angels will not rule over the “world to come” Psalm 8:4-9

Going back to how Jesus is superior, the writer elaborates and implies that Jesus is given supremacy over the world.

In a sense, Man was given this dominance (7-8)

Psalm 8:4-9 – This is “testimony”, according to the Hebrew author, a reference not only to Man, but the “Son of Man” - Jesus.

In bringing up angels in this context, the author is again emphasizing the place of rulership that Jesus has as the Messiah – now AND in the future.

This is because of the sterling example left by Jesus – He is literally the greatest Man that ever existed. It fulfills the lofty claims that David wrote in Psalm 8 concerning Man.

“All things” are in subjection to Him. John 5:17

Because Man failed in the proper upkeep of his God-given dominance (by means of the sin of Adam), God gives that control ultimately to Jesus.

The Father sets Jesus in control of the works of His hands.

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."

“not yet all things” 1 Cor. 15:26

1 Corinthians 15:26 “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”

Physical death is yet to be completely conquered. We still live in a limited, mortal world.

(9) “...that He […] should taste death for every man.”

Even though death is yet to be conquered, “we see Jesus” Rom. 5:17-19

He needed to suffer death so that we can have life.

Romans 5:17-19 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”

There is a beautiful “bookend” quality to the story of sin and salvation in the Bible. Jesus is the climax and fulfillment of that story.

Jesus tasted death “for every man” John 6:51

He died so that we don't have to. This gets in the way of strict Calvinists, who like to take the position that Jesus didn't die for the world, only for the saved.

Some try to explain this away by appealing to the context, but the context is ALL of humanity!

John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."