Hebrews 2:5-9 – Our destiny in Christ Jesus

Here in these verses, the author discussed about Christ’s ministry as a man. He was probably answering some objections in the mind of some people. How could Christ be more superior to angels since He had become a man, who had been made lower than angels? Since angels never die, but Christ died on the Cross, so how could He be more superior to angels? In verses 5-9, the author set out to answer those objections by talking about man’s destiny in Jesus Christ. Here he appealed to what Psalm 8 said.

Man was the crown of God’s creation. It had always been and still is God’s intention and purpose that man and not angels should have dominion of the earth and to take the highest place over all of His creation. But man’s fall brought sin and death and thwarted God’s intention and plan. Man had lost his position and the intended glory of God because of his fall. Sin had weakened him and made him a failure. Hence he was far from being the respected ruler of God’s creation, the destiny God had made him to attain.

But wait! Look at what verse 9 says. “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.”

We see Jesus came as a man. In that, He was made lower than the angels for a little while and He endured our humiliation and death. And on account of all of His suffering and sacrifice, God had exalted Him and given a place to Him as the ruler of the Kingdom of God.  In Philippians we are told that Christ is given a name above every other name. And that at the name of Jesus every knee in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth must bow. And every tongue must confess that He is Lord to the glory of the Father.  

Christ’s coronation followed His humiliation. And now as our Savior and Lord, He has now brought about the Father’s intention for man. He had opened the avenue for all of us believers to return and experience the glory and honor that God, the Creator had all along wanted for us to experience.

What a privilege to know Christ! J.B. Philips translation of Romans 5:17 said, “For if one man’s offence meant that men should be slaves to death all their lives, it is a far greater thing that through another man, Jesus Christ, men by their acceptance of his more than sufficient grace and righteousness, should live all their lives like kings!” Therefore, let us allow Christ who dwells in us to reign through us and keep us triumphant over every circumstance of our lives!