Hebrews 2:1-9
Q.1. How much more authoritative is the Gospel than the Law? How should we treat the Gospel? – (Heb.2:1-4)
The giving of the Law was accompanied by ten thousand angelic hosts (Dt.33:2). This message, given in the presence of angels, was unalterable. It was to be obeyed. Transgressors died without mercy, by the testimony of two or three witnesses … to receive a just punishment (Heb.2:2 c.f. Heb.10:26-31). However, the Gospel that leads to eternal life … or eternal damnation, is even more unalterable, and has far more long-reaching consequences – how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (Heb.2:3a). How reliable is this message? … it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard (Heb.2:3b). It not only has the authority of the Son of God but was authenticated by God to them – God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will (Heb.2:4). We should place the Gospel above all other messages. Paul warned that any claimed angelic messages that differs frm the Gospel are anathema (Gal.1:6-9).
Q.2. What is man’s standing before the angels destined to be? Why did Jesus stoop lower than the angels? Where is He ranked today? – (Heb.2:5-9)
Mankind was for a time placed lower than the angels. In speaking about the angels the writer asked – Are they not all ministering spirits sent to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (Heb.1:14). To this the apostle added – Do you not know that we will judge angels? … (1 Cor.6:3). To make this a reality, Jesus Himself stooped to a level below the angels for a time – … so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone (Heb.2:9b). Consequently, we now see – Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour … (Heb.2:9a). Therefore – 9 … God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil.2:9-11).