We saw in chapter one how angels brought many messages. Angels stopped Adam and Eve from returning to the peaceful existence that mankind had in the Garden. They warned Lot that he and his family had to leave Sodom and never look back or else! (And yes, his wife did...) An angel brought death to all who did not have blood on their door posts in Egypt. Gideon was warned to be on God's side in battle. Angels announced the births of leaders to be followed: Samson, John the Baptist, and of course Jesus.

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 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. (Hebrews 2:1-4)

God wanted the Hebrews to know, understand and obey the messages given through the angels. –Certain doom awaited those who did not obey them. But for an even more important message, God sent His Son.

The Father gave proof that Jesus truly was His Son: There was the birth announcement –a sign in the heavens. There was the angel's proclamation to John's parents, to Jesus' parents, and to the shepherds in the field. There was John's preaching and baptizing. There was Jesus' authoritative teaching at a young age. There were His many miracles. There was God's audible voice to the disciples about Him. There was His death and subsequent resurrection. There were the gifts of the Spirit. And so much more...

Obedience to the angels' messages brought about physical salvation –not following them caused physical death. But the Son's message has eternal consequences. Obedience to that message leads to eternal life with God. Those who drift from His message cannot attain His eternal Salvation –they remain eternally dead in their sins.

For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. But one has testified somewhere, saying, "WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU REMEMBER HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? "YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAVE APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET " For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:5-9)

This passage contains a quote from Psalm 8. Once again it demonstrates that for centuries the Hebrews have heard God's message about His Son through the Sabbath teachings. They heard that the Son would be absent from the Father for a short time –lower in ranking than angels (as far as mankind is concerned) –enduring dishonor. They also heard that His reward was going to be a crown of glory and honor, and everything –absolutely everything– was going to submit to Him.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE." And again, "I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM " And again, "BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME." (Hebrews 2:10-13)

Jesus is both the author –the One who defined what is required for salvation– and He is also the the One who made it all possible. The Hebrews are told that Jesus would become a man so that they could become children of God –and He would be their brother! Part of the passage is a quote from one of the greatest messianic psalms in the Bible, Psalm 22.

Psalm 22:1-11 describes His fearful time of being separated from His Father. And it contains that so famous prophecy that Jesus saw from the cross: "All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'" Psalm 22:12-21 refers to His thirst that someone tried to quench with hyssop dipped in sour wine; and there's the casting of lots for His clothes. Psalm 22:22-31 depicts the sufferings that Jesus had to go through in order to make salvation available to the Hebrews (even those in the future) and His fulfillment of all that the Law demanded.

Another quote in this passage is from Isaiah 8. The Hebrews were told to be a separate people –not to live like the rest of the world –fearing and doing what the nations did. They were told to be very careful because their Lord was coming. To those that submitted to Him, He would be their Sanctuary. To those who did not, He would be their downfall.

The message that Jesus brought had been fully disclosed ahead of time in the Scriptures. The people were told to wait for Him –to recognize Him –and to welcome Him as their king. Those that put their trust in Him are children of God.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18)

This passage reveals an extraordinary title applied to Jesus. It's that of high priest. God spoke to the Hebrews through the prophets, the Law, and the miracles. But God heard from the people through the high priests. The high priests were the ones who pleaded for mercy –arranged the sacrifices –cried out in prayers. God established that office and picked those who served in it to be mediators between Him and the people.

In summary, Jesus was a Hebrew, born of a woman under the Law to bring salvation to all who put their faith in Him. He fulfilled the Law which held men accountable for their sins. The angels were important because they brought God's message, but God's Son lived among them so that they could know that He understood their weaknesses and failures. His life with them earned Him the right to become their High Priest –requiring nothing more of them than their trust. His offering was sufficient for all men and for all time.

Next: Hebrews Chapter Three - Jesus is More Important than Moses