Letter to the Hebrews Volume 12

The Son of God (Jesus Christ) Suffered Death for the Sins of Every Human Being

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. KJV

We learned (from the writer of Hebrews) in the last study/commentary that all things created that are visible and invisible are put under or in subjection to the Son of God our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, however, in this next verse we will see from the writer of Hebrews that Christ Jesus our Lord willingly made Himself lower than His own creatures (the angels) and made Himself into a Man, yet know ordinary Man, for He was and is the God/Man. The Apostle Paul wrote of this fact, phenomenon, or remarkable development with these words to the Church @ Philippi speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross." (Philippians 2:6-8) (KJV). So we see the writer of  Hebrews likewise expound, enlarge, and elaborate on this very fact, with these words, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9) (KJV). If God is all knowing (and He is) and if God is all powerful (and He is), then He can do anything He wants to do in order to meet His end righteous and holy objective for doing whatever it is He desires, decides, and determines to do in the Universes or planets (including the earth), which He alone (all by Himself) created for His enjoyment and glory. The English phrase 'who was made a little lower' is translated by the Greek word elattoō which means to lessen (in rank or influence): - decrease, make lower. In order for man to regain dominion over the earth from the usurper (the devil), it had to be taken back by a man just as it was lost by a man.

The first man (Adam) handed over dominion of the earth to the devil. The second Man (Jesus Christ) went to the Cross and paid man's sin debt in full and redeemed or purchased back man's rightful rule and regin upon the earth, for as it is written, "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, (Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5:17-19) (KJV). When the writer of Hebrews says this, 'that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man', he means that Jesus Christ had to die for every man's/woman's sin in order that they be made right with God. Therefore, every man or woman that comes to Him believing that He alone is God will be made righteous as declared above by Romans 5:19. Jesus Christ (who knew no sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21) had to experience death which is the punishment for man's sin and satisfy that penalty by the shedding of His holy divine blood making the way for all who truly belong to Him to not fear death, but embrace it knowing that we will be immediately with Him when we pass through that dark corridor into the marvellous light of His everlasting love, as it is written, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) (KJV). The English phrase 'should taste' (in Hebrews 2:9) is translated by the Greek word geuomai which is a primary verb meaning figuratively to experience.

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "In consequence of the fall of Adam, the whole human race became sinful in their nature, and in their practice added transgression to sinfulness of disposition, and thus became exposed to endless perdition. To redeem them Jesus Christ took on Him the nature of man, and suffered the penalty due to their sins. It was a custom in ancient times to take off criminals by making them drink a cup of poison. Socrates was adjudged to drink a cup of the juice of hemlock, by order of the Athenian magistrates: The sentence was one of the most unjust ever pronounced on man. Socrates was not only innocent of every crime laid to his charge, but was the greatest benefactor to his country. He was duly conscious of the iniquity of his sentence, yet cheerfully submitted to his appointed fate; for when the officer brought in the poison, though his friends endeavored to persuade him that he had yet a considerable time in which he might continue to live, yet, knowing that every purpose of life was now accomplished, he refused to avail himself of a few remaining moments, seized the cup, and drank off the poison with the utmost cheerfulness and alacrity (eagerness). The reference in the text seems to point out the whole human race as being accused, tried, found guilty, and condemned, each having his own poisoned cup to drink; and Jesus, the wonderful Jesus, takes the cup out of the hand of each, and cheerfully and with alacrity (eagerness) drinks off the dregs! Thus having drunk every man’s poisoned cup, He tasted that death which they must have endured, had not their cup been drunk by another. Is not this the cup to which He refers, Matthew 26:39 : 'O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me?' But without His drinking it, the salvation of the world would have been impossible; and therefore He cheerfully drank it in the place of every human soul, and thus made atonement for the sin of the whole world: and this He did, by the grace, mercy, or infinite goodness of God. Jesus Christ, incarnated, crucified, dying, rising, ascending to heaven, and becoming our Mediator at God’s right hand, is the full proof of God’s infinite love to the human race. Instead of, by the grace of God, some MSS. and the Syriac have, without God, or God excepted; i.e. the manhood died, not the Deity. This was probably a marginal gloss, which has crept into the text of many MSS., and is quoted by some of the chief of the Greek and Latin fathers. Several critics contend that the verse should be read thus: 'But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made less than angels, that by the grace of God He might taste death for every man, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor.' Howsoever it be taken, the sense is nearly the same: 1. Jesus Christ was incarnated. 2. He suffered death as an expiatory victim. 3. The persons in whose behalf he suffered were the whole human race; every man - all human creatures. 4. This Jesus is now in a state of the highest glory and honor."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…