Author : Keith Sharp
The author of Hebrews exhorts Christians to remain faithful to Christ rather than to return to Judaism. He portrays the superiority of Christ to all things judaistic.
Son of God
In chapter one he pictures Christ as God’s Authorized Spokesman (verses 1-2). He is “so much better than the angels” who revealed the law to Moses “as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (verse 4)
How does the Son have a “more excellent name” than angels? He is the Son of God (verses 2,5,8). He is to the Father “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” (verse 3, NASB). He has the same divine nature as the Father, and that nature is unchangeable (verses 10-12). He is “God” (verse 8) and as such deserves our worship (verse 6).
Because He is the Son of God, He is God’s Authorized Spokesman (verses 1-2), i.e.. Prophet, and our King (verses 8-9,13). Therefore, we should hear Him (2:1-4).
Son of Man
But chapter two portrays Jesus as Man’s Sympathetic Representative (verse 17). He who was “so much better than the angels” (1:4) was made “a little lower than the angels.” (2:7)
How was Jesus made “a little lower than the angels”? He is “the son of man.” (verse 6). “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren.” (v. 17). He became “one” with us (verse 11) in that He shared our “flesh and blood.” (verse 14). The phrase “flesh and blood” is a figurative way of saying “human nature.” It is the term used to mean “man” (cf. Matthew 16:17; Galatians 1:16). He took on the same human nature we have (verse 16). He became a man (verse 6) and as such He worshiped the Father (verse 12).
Because He is the Son of Man, He is Man’s Sympathetic Representative (verse 18), i.e., High Priest, and our Savior (verses 10, 14-15). Therefore, we should be faithful to Him (3:1-6).
Conclusion
Jesus of Nazareth was God as He is and man as he ought to be.
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh….” (1Timothy 3:16).
The Son
Hebrews 1-2
| Son of God (God’s Authorized Spokesman) 1:1-2 |
Son of Man (Man’s Sympathetic Representative) 2:5-9 |
| Better Than Angels – 1:4 | Lower than Angels – 2:9 |
| God – 1:2-3, 5, 8 | Man – 2:11, 14, 17-18 |
| Essential Nature Unchanging – 1:10-12 | Nature Same as Ours – 2:11, 14, 17-18 |
God as He Is
and
Man as He Ought to be
