Hebrews 2:1-9 (NRSV)
1Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, 3how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, 4while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.
5Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6But someone has testified somewhere,
"What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
or mortals, that you care for them?
7You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor,
8subjecting all things under their feet."
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, 9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
5Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6But someone has testified somewhere,
"What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
or mortals, that you care for them?
7You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor,
8subjecting all things under their feet."
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, 9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Observation: The author of Hebrews says that the coming world, in which God will reign forever, to angels, but to humans.
Application: Why humans? I sometimes wonder why God, who commands armies of angels and all the forces of nature, would entrust God's message to humans. We are frail, forgetful and selfish.
Granted, there are some key moments when angels share God's message--the Greek word "angel" literally means "messenger"--but mostly, God trusts human beings to share God's Word and ways with one another.
My best guess is this is because God doesn't want to be a puppet master. God wants a relationship with humanity, and relationships are based on free will. If the Kingdom were entrusted only to conquering angels, we'd listen and obey out of pure fear. But if we hear about it from friends, family and people we trust, it's the Spirit in our own heads and hearts that can say "yes" to God.
Prayer: God, open my heart today, and open hearts through my words. Not with fiery angels but with love. Amen.
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