“and you have set him over the works of your hands” (LXX Ps 8:7). In the Hebrew Bible, Psalm 8 describes the high status God accorded to humans. We could paraphrase the psalmist’s words in this way: “God, I can’t believe you would care about humans or the children of humans. You caused humans to be a little less than divinity by showing them such honor and giving them dominion over the world.” The Greek translation has allowed for a different way of interpreting the psalm. This messianic reading can be paraphrased in this way: “What is a human being that you are concerned about him, or the messianic “son of man,” that you take notice of him? You diminished him a little bit lower than the angels, you have crowned him as messiah with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.”
For the author of Hebrews, the idiom “a little lower” does not mean “lower rank” but is understood in a temporal sense, “a little while.” Psalm 8 then indicates that the messiah is temporarily lower than angels but then crowned with glory and honor, enthroned with everything in subjection to him. Put succinctly, Hebrews concludes the angels are not in charge.
New forms of religion and spirituality come along as people continue to try to find who or what’s in charge. Some forms of feminist spirituality say that it’s the mother goddess, Gaia, who is in charge. Elizabeth Clare Prophet talks about Jesus as one of many Ascended Masters who come to guide humanity. Tom Cruise is a follower of Dianetics founded by L. Ron Hubbard. Wherever you go, you are sure to find people who are searching for who’s in charge. And then they will do whatever they can to influence that entity so that life will be well for them.
Christians act the same way sometimes. We treat prayer and religious observance as a talisman. We act with superstition when we say and do—or don’t say and do—particular things because we think unless we say and do—or don’t say and do—those things, God will not give us what we want or even punish us by bringing misfortune to us or our loved ones. The answer to the question, Who’s in charge?, is not answered by angelic beings, spirit guides, pagan deities, or even a God who is controlled by superstitious acts in the guise of Christian living.
Doesn’t Look Like Anyone is in Charge (2:9)
The author of Hebrews proceeds to comment on two aspects of the Psalm 8 quotation. He wants the audience to know that God did not leave out something. The problem of evil and calamity is not due to God forgetting something and allowing the world to be independent or unrestrained. The reality is, it’s too early to see everything being in subjection to Jesus. We just don’t see it yet.
We may complain every four years when we have to go through the whole process of electioneering and voting, but we really don’t have that much to complain about. Remember how kingdoms and empires used to be. Even if they were fortunate enough to have a clear successor to the throne, the king or queen could be embroiled in war for decades trying to get the various parts of the empire under subjection. The average people on the street may not even know who the current king was—or even if there were one. All they would know is the chaos and confusion that keeps life in constant turmoil. Imagine them saying, “I thought King John was on the throne. Why are there still bandits on the road, crooked tax collectors always increasing rates, and the quality of life spiraling down. Who’s in charge?” The answer comes back, “King John is on the throne, but it takes time to get everything under control. Just wait until he comes again, then he’ll set everything right.”
Granted, it’s now been awhile. For the author of Hebrews, it possibly had only been a few decades. Just give it time, he could say. Now it’s been several millennia and, as a pastor, I am obligated to tell you, just keep holding on. Not yet, but soon you will see everything under subjection. It may not look like anyone’s in charge, but you need to look a little closer.
But it does look like Jesus is taking charge (2:9)
We don’t see everything in subjection, but we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor. For about thirty years he was lower than angels, but now he has been exalted. Why was he exalted? Because he suffered in death. It was by God’s grace that Jesus would taste death for the benefit of everyone.
Imagine in our make-believe kingdom that the soon-to-be-King John has discovered a plot to overthrow the kingdom. Let’s say it’s suspected that someone has poisoned all the wine to be used at the inaugural ceremony the following day. If the people are allowed to drink the wine, they might all die. In an act of selfless bravery, King John himself tastes the wine. The next day he rises from bed unharmed, the wine is safe, the people are saved. After the ceremony, a man is returning home and is stopped along the way. The question is asked, “Who’s in charge?” The traveler replies, “King John.”
“How do you know,” asks the townsperson.
“Because I saw him crowned,” he responds.
What makes the difference between Christians committed to God and people who are without spiritual and religious commitment? They question, they blame, and sometimes they seek revenge. Why are we able, they might ask us, to live in peace and tranquility, to have love in our hearts, to experience joy, to worship and honor Almighty God, when all around us is tragedy, violence, and loss of life? Three words make the difference for us—or at least they should: We see Jesus. The circumstances of life are the same for us. We too are stunned by the destruction and loss of life that comes from a tsunami, a hurricane, or an earthquake. We too are disgusted by the many who die each day in a war nearly half-way around the world. We too are brought to tears when we hear of the astounding numbers who are dying in areas of Africa. We are able to live in peace and tranquility, to have love in our hearts, to experience joy, to worship and honor Almighty God, because . . . we see Jesus. Jesus has come to the throne. We don’t see everything in subjection yet, but we will.
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Who’s in charge? Scripture says it’s not the angels, in fact it doesn’t look like anyone is in charge, but it does look like Jesus is taking charge. One of my favorite series of books of all time has been The Chronicles of Narnia. I love the way C. S. Lewis portrayed Jesus as the lion Aslan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Under the rule of the white witch, it’s always winter and never spring. When her reign is broken and Aslan has come to power, the children first see Father Christmas. Then the snow begins to melt, the stream begins to flow again. The world begins to come alive. Aslan is coming!
How do you see the world? Do you see the world under the domination of evil? Or do you see the glimpses of life that bring hope? Do you see Jesus? Jesus on the throne at the right hand of God? Jesus crowned with glory and honor? The one who tasted death for you? It may not look like it at times, but God has set Jesus in charge and he is coming.
Jesus Helps His Siblings (2:10–18)
There are ways in which life is easier when you have an older sibling. Older siblings are good to have, because they experience life a few years before you do. Older siblings learn how to do things, and they can teach you, or you can learn from watching them. When you get in a predicament or someone is trying to hurt you, an older sibling might be able to stand up for you, help you, or protect you. You might be less fearful than you would have been otherwise. Sometimes older siblings even take the blame for you.
In chapter one of Hebrews, Jesus is described as one who is appointed to be God’s Son. These verses in Hebrews build on that theme in order to relate Jesus’ role as Son with his function as High Priest. We might think of this as Jesus being our big brother, for Hebrews shows how Jesus has led the way for his siblings. He is intimately acquainted with all the experiences that his siblings have. It’s because of this that Jesus can be the High Priest par excellence. Jesus, our big brother, is willing to have us for his siblings (2:10–13), he handles the biggest problems we face (2:14–16), and he is able to help us by putting everything right (2:17–18).
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