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
I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 2:5-9, the third of three divisions in Hebrews 2:1-9, and the commentary shares how these verses connect Genesis and the first Adam to Christ, and see "see Christ as the fulfillment and climax of [the creation story line], as the commentary refers to this final division as "honoring the coronation of the Last Adam." The first Adam, made in God's image (Genesis 1:26), was given dominion over the earth and all of its inhabitants, and also commanded in Genesis 2:17 not to (see also Psalm 8 where David refers to the Creation story and Genesis 1-2) eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, the commentary emphasizes that while "the first Adam failed to carry out the duties of image-bearing, the last Adam has succeeded." We are referred to 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 for Paul's writing on Christ as the "last Adam." The commentary then moves to how Hebrews 2:5-9 highlights the tension in the "already-not yet aspect of the kingdom of God" where "[t]he kingdom of God and the reign of Christ are in some senses already inaugurated, yet we are still waiting for the kingdom’s consummation...We may not see all things subjected to him, but “we do see Jesus” who has fulfilled every aspect of the Old Testament and secured his regal throne in glory." The commentary, then, comes back to the contrast between the first and Last Adam: "[Jesus] has been crowned with glory and honor because he has fulfilled his messianic task of suffering and death. The result of his suffering is redemptive. Christ has “[tasted] death for everyone.” The first Adam plunged humanity into sin and death; the last Adam was plunged into death for the sake of humanity. The work of the last Adam undoes the work of the first Adam. As the One who fulfills the task originally given to Adam, Jesus represents the ideal man who bears God’s image rightly and exercises dominion over the cosmos. He has inherited the place of dominion spoken of in Psalm 8. He is superior to all things, including the angels."
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good and You have done what no other can do - You redeemed my life and sin and gave me salvation - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a gift. My sin is great and it continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
