Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor… I. THE HUMILIATION OF JESUS CHRIST. — 1. Presupposes that, in one respect, He was higher then the angels. He is so, as the Son of God (Hebrews 1:5, 6). 2. He was made a little lower than the angels as to His condition: a man, a servant (Isaiah 42:1); possessed a true body and a reasonable soul: was the child born (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4); and but for a little while, living thirty-three years in the form of a servant: and was three days subject to the power of the grave. 3. And this "for the suffering of death." The Godhead could not suffer, hence "made lower than the angels"; made man, in both parts, body and soul, that He might suffer in both for man. This He has done, and His sufferings were great; for — (1) His sufferings were universal, affecting every part of His frame; all His members and senses. (2) They were continual; every moment on the rack till He died. (3) They were without help, without comfort. And as He suffered in His body, so He suffered in His soul. He suffered — (a) The wrath of God, which was awfully impressed on His soul. (b) It was pure wrath, not any contrary mixture to allay it: no comfort from heaven or earth. "He spared Him not" (Romans 8:32; Isaiah 63:8). (4) It was the whole of His wrath. It was poured out upon Him to the last drop (Revelation 19:15). And He suffered to "death"; "tasted death," that is, actually died. His death was — (i) Violent, not natural, through old age, but in the prime of life. He was "cut off" (Isaiah 53:8). He is said to "suffer death," and to be "put to death" (1 Peter 3:18).(ii) Painful. It was many deaths contrived in one. The Cross was a rack as well as a gibbet. He was "poured out as water, and His bones were out of joint" (Psalm 22:14-18).(iii) Shameful. Inflicted only on the basest and vilest of men; upon slaves; and thus He was numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).(iv) Cursed. Hence He is said to be a curse for us; "cursed is every one," &c. (Galatians 3:18, referring to Deuteronomy 21:23).(v) Lingering. Not despatched at once, or after a few minutes' Suffering; but endured hours of the most excruciating agony all the time He hung upon the Cross (Luke 23:33).(vi) And all this suffering for "every man"; He being the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1). II. THE REWARD OF HIS MERIT AS IT RESPECTS HIMSELF. "Crowned," &c. 1. This was done in His resurrection from the dead, in which He was declared to be the Son of God, &c. (Romans 1:3, 4). 2. In His ascension: this was glorious and honourable (Psalm 47:5, 6; Ephesians 4:8). 3. In His being set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3): has obtained a name above every name (Philippians 2:9); all power in heaven and earth is committed to Him (Matthew 28:18; Isaiah 9:6; John 5:22, 23). III. THE GRAND SOURCE AND SPRING OF THE WHOLE; the "grace of God." Our salvation is wholly owing to the free mercy and grace of God in Christ Jesus: not to any deserving of ours. It is altogether the effect of Divine love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9, 10). It is in the way of mere grace and favour — 1. That Jesus humbled Himself to death for us (2 Corinthians 8:9). 2. That we are caned to repentance, faith, holiness, and usefulness in the world, and in the Church (Galatians 1:15). 3. That we are enabled to believe, in order to our salvation (Acts 18:27). 4. That we are pardoned and justified according to the "riches of His grace" (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7). 5. That we are finally saved, and put into possession of the heavenly inheritance (Ephesians 2:5; Zechariah 4:7).To conclude: 1. Let us cherish humbling and contrite views of ourselves, on account of our sins, which led Jesus to endure such dreadful sufferings on our account (Zechariah 12:10). 2. While we entertain the most adoring thoughts of His love to us, let us yield to Him the most entire obedience and love (1 John 4:19). (J. Hannam.) Parallel Verses KJV: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. |
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