In recent weeks this space has included references regarding Jesus as incarnate God ,revealing God the Father as His final word.
Oh the glory of the Lord Jesus! If we can but comprehend it by the Spirit. Hebrews 1 is a study of the Word that became flesh to reveal the LORD GOD in fullness. As the fulness of the Godhead bodily dwelt in Him (see Colossians 2:9), He was and is higher than the angels. None match His glory.
[Hebrews 1:1-4 NASB95] 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His (God/Father) glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He (Jesus) had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
For a time He humbled Himself and took on the form of a man. (See Philippians 2:6-8), but that humility as a man resulted in His exaltation to the right hand of God, and His suffering resulted in His taking on glory unknown to any man before.
The author of Hebrews later in his letter quotes Psalm 8 regarding the position of man as lower than the angels but given charge over the earth. But, seems to make application to Jesus taking that position on, but then lifting us/man up in a redemptive work that is awesome to consider.
[Hebrew 2:7-11 NASB95] 7 “YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAVE APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; 8 YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.[quoting Psalm * regarding man] (9 But [turning to Jesus at this point and onward] we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, [namely,] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one [Father;] for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
What an absolutely awesome thought that Jesus took on a position as a man, a little lower than the angels to taste death for everyone. Why? so He could bring many sons to glory to the Father. But the cost of this glory was His suffering. I have shared many times the Kingdom principles that suffering and glory go hand in hand, and humility and exaltation go hand in hand. The third principle, like these that we see from Genesis to Revelation, is that obedience to what God speaks to you/asks of you and seeing the fulfillment of his promise/plan/purpose in what He speaks/ask go hand in hand.
God’s plan and purpose from before the foundations of the world was to have many sons like His only begotten. This would require, humility, suffering, and obedience from the Son (again, see Philippians 2)
[Galatians 4:1-7 NASB95] 1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
The law which leads to death acted as a guardian while we children without understanding, holding us in a sort of bondage. But, at the right time in His purpose, grace and peace were revealed in Christ Jesus redeeming us that we might find the freedom and the privilege of sons.
And the glorious news is that because we are sons… the Spirit of Jesus is in our hearts, and we can consistently call our Daddy! Daddy! Father! I watch my grandsons now call out to my son…Daddy. Daddy….. and I’m totally awestruck to think that I have that privilege with my God, He who is all in all. And that it has been His desire from all eternity to have me do so.
[2Timothy 1:8-10 NASB95] 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with [me] in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
First understand that in Paul’s exhortation to his young cohort here, he points out that we have not been saved according to our works. No! But, according to His (God’s) purpose and grace which has been summed up in Jesus, the Son, for all eternity. KJV says “before the world began”!
Next note the exhortation to Timothy to boldness in excitement over His plan, rather than shame. Even if it means suffering! Isn’t it interesting that the same toddler that calls out with excitement “Daddy! Daddy!” all too soon becomes the adolescent who wouldn’t be caught in public exclaiming Abba! Father!! Lord, make me suffer if it will result in glory, but please don’t ask me to publicly exclaim Daddy! (Oh! humiliation!… wait.., doesn’t that result in exaltation).
And finally this purpose; to bring many sons to call with you Daddy! Father!…through the gospel, has been fully revealed in the coming and appearance of the incarnate Word, that is Jesus. And by it, and through Him, death is abolished. And, the way to life and immortality have been fully exposed through living and speaking good news.
Jesus is glorious! The full revelation of God, and full of grace and truth (see John 1:14). Oh that we might comprehend His fullness and …
… see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, [namely,] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
May we consider the privilege it is to have the adoption as sons, and call Him Daddy (Abba) , Father.