As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” vss. 8b-9
Hebrews 2:5-12
Psalm 8 had said that humans were created a little lower than angels and had been crowned with glory and honor. The writer to the Hebrews shifts the focus of the psalm from humans to Jesus and says that Jesus was the one crowned with glory and honor and that it had happened through the suffering of death. This wasn’t an unusual circumstance. Early Christians often found references to Jesus in the Hebrew scriptures–they wanted people to know that what happened in Jesus had been foretold–and they weren’t just making stuff up. While we might disagree with their manipulation of texts, their conclusions often contain profound affirmations of grace. Here the writer even gives us a little taste of universal salvation. In his interpretation, the suffering and death that Jesus endured on the cross was done on behalf of everyone. Jesus was crowned with glory and honor through his death so that all humanity might be crowned with glory and honor. We may have learned to express this hope in different theological terms but the essence of it is precious. Just think! We don’t have to worry about death–Jesus has already been there and is waiting for us all on the other side!
Thought for the Day: What gives me hope in the face of death?
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