Superior to
the Angels,
Final Word
Hebrews 2:1-18
5 Admonitions to the
Hebrews and Us
• 2:1- drifting from the word (neglect)
• 3:7-9- doubting the word (hard heart)
• 5:11- dull toward the word (sluggish in growth)
• 10:26- despising the word (willful)
• 12:25- defying the word (refusing to hear)
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the
heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his
purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath…We have this as
a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that
enters into the inner place behind the curtain
(Hebrews 6:17-19 ESV)
HOPE IN GOD’S WORD IS ANCHOR
…while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and
various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed
according to his will. For it was not to angels that God
subjected the world to come, of which we are
speaking.(Hebrews 2:4-5 ESV)
THE WORD IS FROM THE LORD, ATTESTED BY
MIRACLES
Human, but not inferior to Angels?
Humans are definitely inferior to angels…
…what is man that you are mindful of him, and
the son of man that you care for him? Yet
you have made him a little lower than the
heavenly beings and crowned him with glory
and honor. You have given him dominion
over the works of your hands; you have put
all things under his feet, (Psalm 8:4-6 ESV)
Why wouldn’t Jesus be inferior?
Human, but not inferior to Angels?
1. His humanity allowed us to see…
putting everything in subjection under his
feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to
him, he left nothing outside his control. At
present, we do not yet see everything in
subjection to him. But we see him who for a little
while was made lower than the angels, namely
Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of
the suffering of death, so that by the grace of
God he might taste death for everyone.
(Hebrews 2:8-9 ESV)
…glory & honor & grace because of His death
Human, but not inferior to Angels?
2. His humanity allowed Him to bring many
sons to glory.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom
all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory,
should make the founder of their salvation
perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies
and those who are sanctified all have one
source. That is why he is not ashamed to call
them brothers, (Hebrews 2:10-11 ESV)
He “opens the way” into a new family
Human, but not inferior to Angels?
3. His humanity allowed Him to
destroy and deliver
Since therefore the children share in
flesh and blood, he himself likewise
partook of the same things, that
through death he might destroy the
one who has the power of death,
that is, the devil, and deliver all
those who through fear of death
were subject to lifelong slavery.
(Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV)
Human, but not inferior to Angels?
4. His humanity allowed Him to to be a merciful
and faithful High Priest
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in
every respect, so that he might become a
merciful and faithful high priest in the service of
God, to make propitiation for the sins of the
people. For because he himself has suffered
when tempted, he is able to help those who are
being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV)
“Faithful” in His service to God. “Merciful” in
His service to men.
Was it really so foolish for God
to become man, becoming
inferior to angels?
• It was THE way to
accomplish His amazing
mission of mercy and
grace
• Angels are outside this
plan to bring men to
God, outside looking in.