Hebrews 2:5-9 | What's a lesson for the original audience?

It is an unfortunate reality in the modern church that we have lost the ability to sit in awe and wonder. When it comes to devotions or teachings, we long for application. We want to see how it applies to our lives and what course of action I need to take. The problem with that line of thinking is that the Scriptures do not always lend itself to application. When Job went through his trials and came face to face with the Lord Almighty, the Lord primarily gave information and not application. Sure there was an application present, but it was the fear of the Lord and the revelation of God that brought him to silencing himself. We may not have direct lessons in front of us with application laced through the text, but what we do have is what the modern reader had, a lesson in how Jesus fulfills the Scriptures and restores His people.

It would be an obvious reminder to the original audience that mankind failed to uphold all things with the dominion that the Lord gave. We humble ourselves in light of this passage recognizing that the Lord is mindful of such lowly creatures as ourselves. But to what extent was He? He sent the Son. While we do not see all things put under man, we do see Jesus. And what frame did Jesus take? He took the frame of a man, one who is also lower than the angels.

It is commonly recognized what a humble form Jesus took upon. He did not come in the exaltation of man. He was born in a small town and had a manger as his resting place. He had no place to truly call home and His early years were marked by fleeing for His life. When it came to ministry, He was not a popular individual. He was despised. When we look upon the death He suffered, it was humiliating. Displayed naked upon a cross, having been scourged, mocked, and ridiculed, He endured the worst of punishments for His innocence. But do we see even in the divine hierarchy what the Lord did? The Son that was exalted and made all things demoted Himself to be made a little lower than the angels. But He was crowned with glory and honor that He might taste death for everyone.

What might the lesson be in seeing all of these things? The result is one that causes the audience to recognize the greatness of the Son. The subject here is not the listener to apply action to their lives, but to apply themselves to understanding. Jesus is the fulfillment of the One who brings all things under subjection to His feet. As we follow Him, we get to join in that reality.

What lesson are you seeing?