Christ’s work in man’s restoration
God chose Christ to restore man’s lost dominion over the world, rather than using angels. This world is the "habitable world" as Milligan notes (Hebrews 2:5). Psalm 8:4, quoted in Hebrews 2:6, reflects the psalmist’s awe at the blessings God has given man. James D. Bales points out that Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2:6 demonstrate Christ’s identification with humanity, enabling what sin made impossible through his incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension, and high priestly work (Hebrews 2:7-18).
The writer continues with Psalm 8:5-7 to show man’s original rank in the universe. Although man’s authority seems diminished now, it will be fully restored. Christians see the beginning of this restoration in Jesus, who was crowned with "glory and honor" after tasting death for every man. 1 Corinthians 15 shows Jesus’ death as the path to eternal life. The first death is a certainty everyone faces (Hebrews 9:27). Christ can save us from the second death described in Revelation 20:14. Jesus took on human rank temporarily to spare us from eternal death (Hebrews 2:7-9).
The Father and Son intended to bring many to heaven. Christians are called sons (Hebrews 2:10) by adoption (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5). For this to happen, our leader had to be perfected. Jesus achieved that through suffering. Lightfoot explains that the term "perfect" was used in the Septuagint to describe the consecration of priests (Exodus 29:9, 29, 33, 35). Christ’s perfection was essential to his role as a fully effective leader.
The sanctified are those set apart for God’s service. Jesus sanctifies us. Our sanctification is found in doing his will. Because we share the same Father, Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11). Psalm 22:22, where David pleads for help, is also fulfilled by Christ, whose suffering and subsequent glory align with this prophecy (Hebrews 2:12). Lightfoot and Thompson note that Jesus used Psalm 22’s language on the cross (Mark 15:34), and its phrases echo throughout the narrative of his crucifixion (Matthew 27:35, 27:39, 27:43).
The writer quotes Isaiah 8:17-18 (Hebrews 2:13). Jesus, as a man, trusted in God and shared a close bond with his followers. He became fully human. As a human, he experienced the weakness with which humans deal. This was crucial if he was to achieve his ultimate goal. Vine explains that "destroy" means to "reduce to inactivity." Sin, controlled by Satan, was used to enslave man. Jesus’ death neutralized Satan’s control over death (Hebrews 2:14). The fear of death was thus removed for those who follow Christ (Hebrews 2:15). Bales notes that Christ alleviates the bondage of fear by bringing life to light (2 Timothy 1:10) and forgiving sins (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).
Jesus’ mission was not to aid angels, but to save mankind (Hebrews 2:16). Lightfoot comments that he came to rescue men from their distressed state. Jesus had to become a perfect high priest and make a perfect sacrifice for sin in order to accomplish this goal (Hebrews 2:17). He endured all the trials and temptations a human could face to empathize with human suffering, making him the ideal high priest. Lightfoot suggests that "tempted" refers specifically to the suffering of death, showing Christ’s deep understanding of human suffering and providing courage for those enduring trials (Hebrews 2:18).
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