Pardon the lack of creativity with this title, but the more I read Hebrews 2, the more impressed I am with the author’s theme. Chapter 2 opens with this admonition and warning, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest we drift away.”
In keeping with our theme, we see the reason for this “more earnest heed.” If the condemnation was severe for those who disobeyed the word given by angelic disposition, how much worse will it be for those who disobey the greater and everlasting covenant given and confirmed by the Lord Jesus Himself?
We also see HOW one becomes estranged from God, namely drifting. Consider: Take two buckets and put a pin hole in the bottom of one. Now fill them with water. Dump the water from the good bucket and leave the defective bucket alone, and the result is the same. Both buckets will eventually be empty.
In like fashion, one rarely loses his faith all at once. Rather, drop by drop his bucket of water (i.e., his faith) begins to wane until it is completely gone. It should be noted that this warning was given to believers, necessarily implying the possibility of apostasy. For all such, the end is worse than the beginning (cf 2 Peter 2:20-22).
The author then returns to the glory of Jesus and His atoning sacrifice. Likening Him to all mankind (as He was indeed a man), we find Jesus “crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for every man.”
Did you catch that? Jesus did not taste death for all because of the grace of God given to us, though that idea is elsewhere found in the New Testament, but because of the grace of God given to Him! The ESV puts it this way, “so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every man.” God glorified and honored Jesus both before and after His death. It was through a privilege of grace that Jesus died for every man!
Moreover, this grace was extended and exercised that Jesus might being many sons to glory. This was accomplished when Jesus destroyed the devil and his power by His own death and resurrection.
Jesus is a better son-maker!
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