All Things in Subjection to Jesus
Heb. 2:5 -9
Introduction
After writing about the dangers of drifting, Paul continues to show his readers the superiority of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to angels. On the first chapter of this book, the emphasis was on the deity of Christ. Here on our texts, the Apostle Paul was showing Christian’s humanity.
Illustration 1/Application: In the Flesh
Literally, en-flesh-ment (Latin carnis. flesh¡); the doctrine that the Son of God became human (John 1:14). Jesus took on our flesh with all its problems and weaknesses, he suffered, hungered, thirsted, like an ordinary man . Incarnation, in the Christian understanding, means that Christ was both God and human.
The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Publ., Wheaton, IL; 1984), p. 351
Illustration 2/Application: Our Greatest Need
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If your greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. (Author Unknown)
I. The world to come (Heb. 2:5-6)
A. The world to come is literally speaks of the Millennial Kingdom. Seven years after the Rapture believers will return and rule with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20).
B. Angels were not given sovereignty over the world to come.
C. It was given to man even though for a little while he was made lower than the angels. (Heb. 2:6).
D. In the book of Genesis, at the beginning, man was given dominion over God’s creation (Gen. 1:26-28)
E. Men and women were made in the divine likeness with mental, moral, and spiritual nature that made possible a fellowship and communion with God.
II. Dominion lost because of sin
A. Though Adam and Eve were made in the image of God and were given dominion over the earth, they forfeited their honored place and were cast out of the presence of the Lord with the sentence of physical and spiritual death upon them.
B. That sentence is the same for all mankind, for all have sinned (Rom. 3:23)
F. Because of sin, in the garden of Eden man has lost that dominion.
G. Satan has usurped the authority that God gave man. Satan is now the god of this world. (2 Cor. 4:4).
Illustration 3/Application: World
There is a world to come (Heb. 2:5). This present world system is characterized by sin (1 Jn. 2:15-16) and its god is the devil (2 Cor. 4:4). The present world passeth away (1 Jn. 2:17) and will be replaced by a better one ruled by Christ and characterized by righteousness. The believer becomes a citizen of the world to come when he is born again (Phil. 3:20). He enters the kingdom of God spiritually (Col. 1:13). (D. Cloud)
III. Jesus as a man regained that dominion (Heb. 2: 6-9)
A. Heb. 2:6-8 is a quotation from Psalm 8:4-6. It appears to be only a statement about mankind in general, but the writer of Hebrews shows us that it is a Messianic prophecy.
B. Psalm 8:4 obviously looks forward to the Messiah, the Son of man. Gods intent for man will be fulfilled in Jesus Christ and those whom He redeems. Though presently made a little lower than the angels, in the resurrection, the believer will be equal to the angels (Lk. 20:36). And so, as we read these words, we think of Him who delighted in the title Son of Man. because it speaks of Him as the appointed ruler over the whole earth, who is to deliver it from the bondage of corruption¡± (Ironside).
C. Jesus was “made a little lower than the angels”; i.e., He became a man, in theology, we call this Doctrine of Incarnation. The Word become flesh (Jn. 1:14). He who was equal with God¡± become a man and took upon him the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7).
D. He who was better than the angels (Heb. 1:4), was made a little (for a little time, literally 33 years) lower than the angels.
E. Because of His incarnation, His substitutionary suffering and death on the cross, and His victory over sin and death, (Rom. 6:23, 1 Jn. 4:10) He was “crowned with glory and honor”!
F. The crown of glory and honor, involves authority over nature and all created things (Heb. 2:6-8a).
G. He was also given a name above every name (Phil. 2:8-9).
H. Verse 8 says Thou hast put all in subjection under His feet . Even the angels are to be in subjection to Christ. In the Bible all means all.
I. Christ death for us is the answer to man’s problem of sin and death.
J. We do not see all things subject to Him now. Because of sin, and we are still subject to death.
K. Death is the last enemy to be destroyed (1 Cor. 15:26)
L. Christ came to restore what we lost through sin.
1. Those who are in Him share in that rule, both now and in the future!
2. Seated at the right hand of God, Christ rules over all. (Eph. 1:20-22).
3. Those in Christ sit together with Him (Eph. 2:4-6)
M. Heb. 2:9 says “by the grace of God taste death for every man. Jesus did not die merely for the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29), but for ¡°every man, individually. This means that Jesus died to make it possible for every sinner to be saved. (Jn. 6:51 and 1 Jn. 2:2). This is contrary to the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement. Christian’s atonement is explained in 1 Tim. 4:10. His atonement makes it possible for all men to
be saved, but it is efficacy can only be applied to those who come to God repentantly and receiving Christ as their personal Savior.
Illustration 4/Application: The Unspeakable Gift
Long ago, there ruled in Persia a wise and good king. He loved his people. He wanted to know how they lived. He wanted to know about their hardships. Often, he dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar, and went to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited thought that he was their ruler. One time he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him. Then he left. Later he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity by saying, I am your king The king thought the man would surely ask for some gift or favor, but he didn’t. Instead, he said, You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate the course food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!
The King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave himself to you and me. The Bible calls Him, the unspeakable gift! Source unknown
IV. Conclusion:
Jesus become man and was made a little lower than the angels but in doing so, even in His humanity, He is far superior than the angels. He tasted death for every man and made it possible for every sinner to be saved. The challenge is, will you repent from your sins and receive Him as your Lord and Savior?
