Reflection
In these two passages Hebrew 2:5-18 and Hebrew 3:1-6, the author of the Hebrews presses on his audience to consider (katanoēsate) Jesus and the work he accomplished to become our great salvation. Asking us to ponder on Him who is greater than Moses. The author is once again reading between the lines in Psalms 8 to help us understand this “son of man” or specifically the unique son of man whose work gains for us our great salvation.
Son of man
The phrase of “Son of man” – about 200 times with first appearance in Num. 23:19. It appear about 90 times in Ezekiel – referring to Ezekiel himself as a priest “the man” interceding between God and his people. In most cases, this refers to humans. However, the passage in Dan 7:13 gives us this unique idea of “son of man” as the Messiah. Jesus presses this use of “son of man” referring to himself in the Gospels, frequently perhaps to give people a sense of his unique humanity and his divinity – It appears in Matthew (31),Mark (14),Luke (27), John (11). Thus the term “son of man” has taken a new meaning for the new testament believer.
Made a little lower than angels for a short time to taste death
The author shares the idea that we was mankind were made to the rule all creatures great and small. However the author also in a canny way unlocks this passage to refer to Jesus as one “made little lower than angels” for a while” in order to “taste death” The author wants us to know that Jesus was willing to part his divinity to be made fully human, calling us brothers and sisters. This has made Jesus – the author of our salvation perfected through suffering. Jesus “was perfected through suffering” refers in may way how he was shown to be perfect to us through this great act of suffering death – death on the cross.
The verses 17 and 18 speak for themselves “For this reason he had to be made like them,fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Jesus by tasting death (the ultimate fear of man) has redeemed us, made us brothers (in fact not ashamed to call us brothers) and is also able to help us who are being tempted (daily – a present continuous tense of our current humanity)
On Moses?
The author Hebrews tells us that Jesus – our apostle and great high priest – is better than Moses, as Jesus was creator and the Son wherelse Moses was a faithful servant of the house, Jesus very creator of the house. Moses is gigantic personality for the Jews. We will try to explore a little bit on what Jesus sais about Moses. Jesus said “The scribes and pharisees sit in Moses’ seat” (Mthw 23:2) but they misinterpret the law and burden people with Moses’ law (Mark 7:10). Sadducee’s also misinterpret Moses law to justify their”no life after death” philosophy (Mark 12:19-26). The Jewish people had reached a point where they had made the Law given by Moses into a god and had ignored the “weightier principles of the Law” (Mthw 23:23).
Jesus said that Moses figuratively lifted up the serpent in the wilderness which is a foreshadowing of Jesus being lifted up on the cross to give salvation to all who looked to him (John 3:14). Jesus also parts with Jewish practice of Moses’ Law during his time. He asked them about circumcision that was allowed on Sabbath but healing is not – is this correct? John 7:21-24. Jesus also tells them about Moses is the one who gave the Jews ability to divorce their wives(not God really). This was given due to hardness of human heart. (Mark 10:1-5) and not what God intended. Finally Jesus brings greater clarity on Moses and his role as he says to the Jews “Moses is your accuser” (John 5:45-47). Moses as he accuses mankind ( including the Jews), he also points to Jesus for salvation and redemption. As the apostle John would put it “Law was given through Moses, BUT grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” John 1:17.
Consider Jesus – the very embodiment of the word (Logos)
We come back to the verse Heb 3:1 “fix your thoughts on Jesus” or “carefully consider Jesus”, the very essence of home God is. This is where John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:1 meet to show the very embodiment of the “word of God” is Jesus. There is nothing you can learn about God that is not already present in Jesus. Jesus the very or exact representation and the very radiance of God’s glory.
This is not just an abstract consideration of a god-out-there, or an existential pursuit of meaning for life – but it is more of God who became flesh and became our own “brother” – unashamed to call us brothers made us share in his heavenly calling as both our apostle and high priest.