Having introduced the book of Hebrews in our first four lessons, we now begin to look in more detail at the main topics the Hebrew writer deals with. In this lesson, we think about the Hebrew writer’s statement that Jesus Christ is "crowned with glory and honor" (Heb 2:9, Psa 8:5-6).
1. Jesus Crowned with Glory. Jesus had to be made like his brethren, a little lower than the angels. But now he is crowned with glory, a Son over his own house, above the angels, above Moses, equal with God.
Heb 1:1-14, Heb 2:5-18, Heb 3:1-6
Christ made like his brethren
It is essential to the doctrine of Christ’s high priesthood that he be a human being. Our great high priest should be our brother in the sense that he and we are fellow humans, sharing the same nature as children of God. It would not do for him to be some other kind of being, such as an angel. I know that many people are convinced that the salvation of humanity will come from alien beings of a higher order than we, but that would not be "fitting" (Heb 2:10).
Early in his letter (Heb 2:9 to 3:1), the Hebrew writer makes three statements using the word "brethren". These three statements show us three important things about the incarnation (God becoming flesh and blood).
He found it acceptable and fitting. "He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Heb 2:11-12, Psa 22:22). Since we are the offspring of God made in God’s image, Christ did not consider it beneath him to become one of us. It is a great encouragement to us that the Son of God thought well enough of the sons of men that he was unashamed to become one of them, and considered it fitting to do so.
He found it necessary. "He had to be made like his brethren in all things" (Heb 2:17). If Christ were not one of us, he could not come to our aid, for he would not have been tempted like we are. He could not make atonement for our sins unless he partook of the same temptation that we do. He could not do that unless he partook of the same flesh and blood nature that we have (cf Heb 4:15).
He found it effective. "Therefore holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider Jesus the apostle and high priest of our confession" (Heb 3:1). Because Christ was called to partake of flesh and blood, so as to save us through suffering in the flesh, we can be holy brethren with him forever in heavenly glory. (Heb 2:14)
Christ made a little lower than the angels
Christ shared this status with us. The Hebrew writer quotes the Psalm, "You made him a little lower than the angels" (Psa 8:5-6) and does not except the man Jesus Christ from this status, but in fact makes him representative of all mankind. Jesus himself acknowledged this, by often referring to himself using the phrase from this Psalm "the son of man".
It is was a temporary status for Christ. The son of man’s status in this earthly life as "lower than the angels" is not his permanent status. The words "a little lower..." are in some translations replaced with "for a little while lower..." which reflects this point [see note below]. After his death, Christ was glorified. He did not then cease to be a man, but he ceased to be lower than the angels, being "crowned with glory and honor" . One of the ramifications of this was that heaven conferred upon his death the status of a sin offering for every human being -- an honor conferred on no other death and on no other man.
Christ has always been God, and equal with God, and always will be. Even though, in becoming flesh, he was made for a little while beneath the angels, the Father said, "let all the angels of God worship him"
It is a temporary status for us. Like Christ himself, the brethren of Christ also remain lower than the angels only for a time, then they too will partake of his glory. The glory and honor given to man is not just about the rule over the animals which the Psalm mentions. That rule is merely given to man as a symbol of the far higher glory and honor with which Christ has been crowned. Christ’s brethren, if they remain faithful, are destined to be eternal partakers of that honor, for God through Christ is "bringing many sons to glory" (Heb 2:10).
Christ a Son over his own house
The Hebrew writer draws attention to Christ’s status as God’s Son. Because of that status, it is appropriate that he be be crowned with glory and honor.
A Son perfected. The Hebrew writer presents Christ as an impeccable Son made perfect through his obedience to his Father, and his sufferings in the flesh (Heb 2:10,compare Heb 5:7-9). His obedience as a Son in God’s house was superior to the obedience of a mere servant (Heb 3:5-6).
A Son appointed heir of all things. As God’s impeccable Son, it is fitting that Christ be heir to God’s glory (Heb 1:2).
A Son ascended to his Father’s throne. The Hebrew writer asserts of Christ, "When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high..." (Heb 1:3). The writer goes on to quote Psalm 45:6 in which God speaks to the Son, saying, "Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever"(Heb 1:9). The crown of glory and honor is no mere token. With the crown was given right to a throne, and this throne was nothing less than the very throne of God.
A Son in charge of his Father’s house. God has appointed his only begotten Son to be over the house of God and therefore to be over us since we are part of God’s house (Heb 3:6). This fact is presented elsewhere in scripture in terms of Christ being the Shepherd of the sheep, the King of God’s kingdom, the Head of the body.
A Son with many brethren. As we have already noted, the Hebrew writer stresses that we are Christs brethren. Whilst Christ is a unique Son with a unique status, we are, nevertheless, his brethren and consequently have status as sons of God being brought to glory (Heb 2:10-14, Heb 3:1).
It is sometimes difficult for women to think of themselves as brothers of Christ and sons of God, however we do not solve this problem by adding "and sisters" or "and daughters" to the word of God. The glory we shall know in heaven will not relate to the gender of our own flesh and blood on earth, but rather to the sanctification brought about through the offering of Christ’s flesh and blood. This sanctification is the same for both men and women, therefore the Bible speaks of both men and women as sons and brother heirs of Christ. By this language, any suggestion of a lower status for women is precluded.
Christ above the angels
To establish the true height of the glory and honor with which Jesus has been crowned, the Hebrew writer compares him with the angels. There have always been those who place Christ in the position of an archangel rather than in the position of God. In the first two chapters, the Hebrew writer clarifies the relative glory of Christ and the angels.
A more excellent name. After making a strong statement of Christ’s glory (Heb 1:3) the writer says that Christ has "become much better than the angels, because he has inherited a more excellent name than they" (Heb 1:4).
A unique Son. The Hebrew writer points out that God said to Christ, "You are my Son, Today I have begotten you"(Heb 1:5-6). Jesus has a unique place above the angels, for he is the only begotten Son of God.
The angels worship him. Clearly the angels would not and should not worship anyone less than God. When God said of his Son, "Let all the angels of God worship him" he was making his Son superior to the angels and equal to himself (Heb 1:6-7).
He sits at God’s throne. The Hebrew writer quotes a statement addressed to Christ God’s Son, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever"(Heb 1:9). The Hebrew writer then asks this question: "To which of the angels has God ever said, 'Sit at my right hand...?" (Heb 1:13 Psa 110:1).
All things in subjection to him. The Hebrew writer says, "God did not subject to angels the world to come, of which we speak..." (Heb 2:5), and then points out that all things are, however, being subjected to Christ and are being put under his feet (Heb 2:8-9).
Christ above Moses
Understandably, the Hebrews have great respect for Moses, and hold him in much the same high esteem as they do their ancestor Abraham. The Hebrew writer holds these partriarchs in high esteem too, however he does point out that Christ is superior to them. We will come to Abraham in a later lesson, but for now briefly notice how the Hebrew writer compares Christ with Moses.
Moses a servant, Christ a Son. Moses is given honour as "faithful in all his house as a servant..." and (Heb 3:5). His honor is less than that of Christ, however, for Christ is much more than a faithful servant. He is a "a Son over his house" (Heb 3:6)
Moses a shadow of Christ. Moses was a faithful servant "...for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later" (Heb 3:5). The Hebrew writer shows us that the old law of Moses was "a shadow of good things to come" (see Heb 8:5, Heb 10:1), and he makes even Moses himself a shadow testifying of Christ. Obviously a person’s shadow is inferior to the person himself. It is an honor for Moses to be a type or symbol of Christ, but to Christ himself belongs the real crown of glory and honor.
Christ equal with God
Finally, the crown of glory and honor reflects Christ’s equality with God. That equality has been strongly evident in what we have been studying regarding Christ crowned with glory and honor. It is appropriate to conclude our study by briefly noting the following points that show that Christ is equal to God.
Christ the Creator. The Hebrew writer claims that the world was made through Christ and he upholds all things by the word of his power (Heb 1:1-2).
Christ to be worshipped. The quote already noted, "Let all the angels of God worship him"(Heb 1:6), must be considered against the commandment "You shall worship the LORD your God and him only..." (Mtt 4:10). Neither we nor angels should worship anyone besides God. If Christ is to be worshipped, then Christ is God.
Christ addressed as God. The Psalm which says "Your throne , O God, is for ever and ever"(Heb 1:8, Psa 45:6) clearly attributes divinity to Christ the Son. Thus we understand the true import of his being "crowned with glory and honor" for this man so crowned is not only a man but is also God. For what he did as a man, and because he is God, he is certainly worthy of all honor and glory.
Christ has always been God, and equal with God, and always will be. Even though, in becoming flesh, he was made for a little while beneath the angels, the Father said, "let all the