Hebrews 1:5 - 2:14

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Hebrews

Rusty's Notes

The author spends almost 2 chapters trying to convince the Christian believers outside of Jerusalem that Jesus is better than the angels.

• The author uses their shared common experience of the Old Testament to prove that Jesus is the one prophesied about.
• He is reflecting back on what they bought into to prove his point about the New Covenant.

 
Colts Fans:

• What year did we win the Super Bowl?
• Who was the MVP?
• Who did we beat?
• What was the score?
• Who were the 2 coaches?
• Who scored first?
• Where was it?
• What was the weather?

 

• The Jews believed that Moses received the Law through angels.
• Some Jews carried it further and worshipped angels.
• They thought angels completely controlled the universe.
• The writer of Hebrews knows the readers of this letter need more proof than these first 4 verses so He finishes this chapter and into the next convincing them of Jesus’ superiority.

 
THE SON SUPERIOR TO ANGELS
HEBREWS 1
5 For to which of the angels did he ever say,
You are my Son;
today I have become your Father, (Psalm 2:7)
or again,
I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son? (2 Sam 7:14)

• Scripture never refers to angels as God’s offspring, because God has never “begotten” and angel.
• Angels are created beings.
• Colossians 1:16 says Jesus created all things. So if he created the Angels He has to be greater than them.

6 Again, when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
And let all God’s angels worship him. (Psalm 97:7)

• “again” has to refer to His second coming.
• “firstborn” is not about time but position.
• “world” refers to inhabited earth not universe.
• Don’t the angels already worship Jesus?
• Not according to Paul & Peter… they are learning about the finished work of Jesus by watching the Church… us.

7 And about the angels he says:
He makes his angels winds,
and his servants a fiery flame, (Psalm 104:4)

• It is obvious the angels are under Jesus’ authority.

8 but to the Son:
Your throne, God,
is forever and ever,
and the scepter of your kingdom
is a scepter of justice. (Psalm 45:6-7)

• The only place in Scripture where Jesus is referred to as God.
• His throne is forever.

9 You have loved righteousness
and hated lawlessness;
this is why God, your God,
has anointed you
with the oil of joy
beyond your companions.

• Angels were never anointed.
• Lucifer was anointed in Ezekiel, but he was a cherub.
• Angels were the lowest of three.
• Cherubim, seraphim and angels are still created beings.
• If we love righteousness and hate sin, the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in our lives and the anointing on us will be clear to others.

10 And:
In the beginning, Lord,
you established the earth,
and the heavens are the works of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain.
They will all wear out like clothing; (Psalm 102:25-27)
12 you will roll them up like a cloak,
and they will be changed like clothing.
But you are the same,
and your years will never end.

• Jesus never changes… even when things seem out of control.

13 Now to which of the angels has he ever said:
Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool? (Psalm 110:1)
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

• Jesus is sitting down next to God and the angels are running about ministering to believers.
• The writer is not demeaning angels or even their calling.
• It is that Jesus is to be worshipped and not the angels.

 
WARNING AGAINST NEGLECT
HEBREWS 2
1 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.

• They have heard the New Covenant and encouraged not to go back to the Old Covenant.
• This is not about them losing their salvation.

2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

• The Law (Moses) is doing its thing. If it is ignored, judgment comes (natural consequences).
• Romans 5:20 - The law came along to multiply the trespass.[1]
• 70 AD was coming… salvation is their only choice.
• Emperor worship was big under Nero
• Gentiles grew in number
• Nero burned Rome and blamed Christians.
• Jews took control of Jerusalem. (64-6 AD)
• “neglect” – set your gift on a shelf.

This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

• Spoken by Jesus but heard through others confirms that author was not original 11 or Paul.

4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.

• This is the Church today.

 
JESUS AND HUMANITY
5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But someone somewhere has testified:
What is man that you remember him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
7 You made him lower than the angels
for a short time;

• Angels can approach the throne of God where man cannot at this point.

you crowned him with glory and honor
8 and subjected everything under his feet.
For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.

• God put Adam & Eve over everything, and they gave that up.
• Some day we will be subject over all things again… including angels.

9 But we do see Jesus--made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone--crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

• Jesus became God man… and died for us… He experienced suffering to the greatest degree.
• He didn’t put us through anything that He didn’t go through Himself.

10 For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

• The supreme sacrifice was appropriate.
• Christ will present all things to the Father.
• We have already been brought to glory through Jesus’ life.
• Bob Warren – Glory Video

11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,

• We have been sanctified… past tense.
• Our behavior is being sanctified.

12 saying:
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; (Psalm 22:22)
I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.,
13 Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me. (Isaiah 8:17-18)
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil--15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.

• Satan uses the fear of death as a terrible weapon to gain control over the lives of people.[2]
• Revelation 1:17-18 - When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.[3]

16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring.

• Jesus did not die for angels.
• Once angels fall, they cannot be redeemed.
• Jesus came to redeem man. Jesus is greater than the redeemed.
• Angels could not be redeemed. Jesus is greater than the angels.
• Jesus had to be an offspring of Abraham. He came to redeem the Jews.
• Leviticus 25:25 - If your brother becomes destitute and sells part of his property, his nearest relative may come and redeem what his brother has sold.[4]
• Jesus is to be worshipped because of the New Covenant being great than the Old Covenant.

17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement, for the sins of the people.

• Jesus had to become a male Jew – only male Jews could become priests.
• Jesus wasn’t always a priest, he became a priest at the time of the cross.
• “propitiation” – to appease, satisfy or to pardon.
• Jesus’ blood & death paid the price for man’s redemption.

18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.[5]

• Jesus was tempted as we are tempted.
• Jesus had to deal with the whole thought issue as we do.
• He knew what it was to be despised and rejected, to be lied about and falsely accused.[6]

My Savior, my God understands my suffering better than anyone.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 5:20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Heb 2:5). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Re 1:17–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Le 25:25). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 1:5–2:18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Heb 2:5). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.