Introduction
Faith in Christ is always contested. Ideologies clash, worldviews collide, and truth claims compete for allegiance in the marketplace of ideas, tempting Christians to abandon Christ for His rivals. This is the primary pastoral concern that Hebrews was written to address. The original recipients were being tempted by suffering and social pressure to turn away from Christ and go back to Judaism. Hebrews, then, is to show the supremacy of Christ over every rival claim and to urge Christians to persevere in wholehearted allegiance to Jesus.
Text: Read Hebrews 2:5-9 and pray.
Passage Summary: Hebrews 2:5–9 explains that God’s design was for man, not angels, to rule righteously over creation. Though man failed in this task and brought death to the world, God sent his Son to become the one man who could bring salvation to a fallen world and rule as God intended.
Discussion Questions
1. “God… subjected the world to come… to man” (v. 5–8)
Though we don’t know all the details, the Hebrews seem to have been fascinated by angels and tempted to give them undue honor as rulers over the world. By quoting Psalm 8:4–6, however, the author reminds his readers that God’s original design was for humanity—not angels—to rule over creation. Read Psalm 8:4-6. How does knowing God’s plan for humanity to rule over the world affect the way you view your purpose and calling today?
2. “At present, we do not see everything in subjection to man” (v. 8)
Though God’s design for man was to rule the world in righteousness, the author of Hebrews points out, we do not yet see “everything in subjection” to him. Because the first man sinned—and all of us have followed in his steps—the world is now marked by death, injustice, and sorrow. We see it, we feel it, and we hate it. What parts of this broken world grieve you most? Or, put another way, what aspects of life do you most long for Jesus to restore?
3. “But we see…Jesus” (v. 9)
Though “we do not yet see” humanity exercising perfect rule, the author reminds us in verse 9 that we do see Jesus. He is the fulfillment of Psalm 8: the divine Son of God who became a man and was made “lower than the angels,” the one who suffered and died to redeem humanity, the one who was raised and “crowned with glory and honor” as King of the world, and the one who now sits at God’s right hand, one day to put “everything in subjection under his feet.” In other words, though our physical eyes see sin, suffering, and injustice, with the eyes of faith we can see Jesus—the one man who can and will restore and rule over all things! How does seeing Jesus as the one who will ultimately restore the world affect the way you live and respond to the brokenness around you today? And what are some practical ways we can fight to “see Jesus” when our physical eyes tempt us to despair or distraction?
Close in Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the one who has suffered, died, and risen to redeem us and restore Your creation. Help us to see with eyes of faith, even when the world around us is broken. Give us courage and wisdom to live in light of His coming reign, bringing hope, justice, and love wherever we go. Strengthen our hearts to trust in Your plan and to reflect Your glory in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.