“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 every one.” (Heb.2:9) And how do we see Him? Not by dreams or visions; not by exercising our imaginations. We see Him by faith, and faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Rom.10:17) Abraham saw Jesus by faith and rejoiced. (John 8:56) Faith is the eye which views and enjoys what God presents to its vision.
But we see Jesus – By faith we see His miraculous conception, His birth, His childhood, His many miracles, His teaching the people, His suffering, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension back into heaven. Those who do not see Jesus are those who are not into His word.
Who was made a little lower than the angels – He created the angels. He was Lord over them and worshipped by them. Man was a little lower than the angels (v.7); “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like his brethren that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Heb. 2:17)
For the suffering of death – This is why He was made lower than the angels. He could not have died had He not become man, a position which is below the angels. Making propitiation for the sins of the people required His dying. No angel was commissioned to die for lost humanity. Sin was so awful, and the consequences of it so terrible, that an indescribable and incomprehensible offering had to be made, the sacrificial death of the Son of God. (II Cor. 9:15) “…by the grace of God He tasted death for everyone.” What an awesome thought! What an inconceivable act! Only the love and grace of God would pay such a price for our salvation.
Crowned with glory and honor – Following His death and resurrection He ascended into heaven, taking His position of honor and glory at God’s right hand. (Acts 2:33 35) “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name…” (Phil. 2:9) “To the Son He says, ‘your throne O God is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom….But to which of the angels has He ever said, ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool.'” (Heb.1:8,13) Let us continue seeing Jesus through the word He has given us.
Let’s see Him in all that He has done, and continues to do, for our salvation. Then one day faith will be realized. “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (I John 3:2)
Richard