Christ Above
—More about Jesus “crowned with glory”
A second lesson on the Hebrew writer’s statement that Jesus Christ is "crowned with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:9, Psalms 8:5-6).
Hebrews 1:1-14, Hebrews 2:5-18, Hebrews 3:1-6
Jesus had to be made like his brethren, a little lower than the angels. But now he is crowned with glory, a Son over his own house, above the angels, above Moses, equal with God.
1 Christ above the angels
To establish the true height of the glory and honor with which Jesus has been crowned, the Hebrew writer compares him with the angels. There have always been those who place Christ in the position of an archangel rather than in the position of God. In the first two chapters, the Hebrew writer clarifies the relative glory of Christ and the angels.
- A more excellent name.
After making a strong statement of Christ’s glory (Hebrews 1:3) the writer says that Christ has "become much better than the angels, because he has inherited a more excellent name than they" (Hebrews 1:4). - A unique Son.
The Hebrew writer points out that God said to Christ, "You are my Son, Today I have begotten you" (Hebrews 1:5-6). Jesus has a unique place above the angels, for he is the only begotten Son of God. - The angels worship him.
Clearly the angels would not and should not worship anyone less than God. When God said of his Son, "Let all the angels of God worship him" he was making his Son superior to the angels and equal to himself (Hebrews 1:6-7). - He sits at God’s throne.
The Hebrew writer quotes a statement addressed to Christ God’s Son, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:9). The Hebrew writer then asks this question: "To which of the angels has God ever said, 'Sit at my right hand...?" (Hebrews 1:13, Psalms 110:1). - All things in subjection to him.
The Hebrew writer says, "God did not subject to angels the world to come, of which we speak..." (Hebrews 2:5), and then points out that all things are, however, being subjected to Christ and are being put under his feet (Hebrews 2:8-9).
2 Christ above Moses
Understandably, the Hebrews have great respect for Moses, and hold him in much the same high esteem as they do their ancestor Abraham. The Hebrew writer holds these partriarchs in high esteem too, however he does point out that Christ is superior to them. We will come to Abraham in a later lesson, but for now briefly notice how the Hebrew writer compares Christ with Moses.
- Moses a servant, Christ a Son.
Moses is given honour as "faithful in all his house as a servant..." and (Hebrews 3:5). His honor is less than that of Christ, however, for Christ is much more than a faithful servant. He is a "a Son over his house" (Hebrews 3:6) - Moses a shadow of Christ.
Moses was a faithful servant "...for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later" (Hebrews 3:5).
The Hebrew writer shows us that the old law of Moses was "a shadow of good things to come" (see Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 10:1), and he makes even Moses himself a shadow testifying of Christ.
Obviously a person’s shadow is inferior to the person himself. It is an honor for Moses to be a type or symbol of Christ, but to Christ himself belongs the real crown of glory and honor.
3 Christ equal with God
Finally, the crown of glory and honor reflects Christ’s equality with God. That equality has been strongly evident in what we have been studying regarding Christ crowned with glory and honor. It is appropriate to conclude our study by briefly noting the following points that show that Christ is equal to God.
- Christ the Creator.
The Hebrew writer claims that the world was made through Christ and he upholds all things by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:1-2). - Christ to be worshipped.
The quote already noted, "Let all the angels of God worship him" (Hebrews 1:6), must be considered against the commandment "You shall worship the LORD your God and him only..." (Matthew 4:10). Neither we nor angels should worship anyone besides God. If Christ is to be worshipped, then Christ is God. - Christ addressed as God.
The Psalm which says "Your throne , O God, is for ever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8, Psalms 45:6) clearly attributes divinity to Christ the Son.
So we understand the true import of his being "crowned with glory and honor" for this man so crowned is not only a man but is also God. By his deeds as a man, and his deeds as God, he is certainly worthy of all honor and glory.