The long discussion in chapter 1 starts to come to relief in chapter 2. The reason we need to know that Jesus is greater than the angels is because they need to be reminded to focus that much more on the message that Jesus brings as they once focused on the message the angels had brought in the past. (Dig on Acts 7:5 where the Law is said to have been brought by angels. This is a Jesus is greater than the Law discussion. Perhaps the author is Paul after all, eh?) The Law given to Moses from God (through the angels) was reliable and there were just consequences built into it, they risk missing the great salvation that Jesus brings by focusing on that which has already been fulfilled.
Further, they know that the good news that Jesus brings is true because God himself bore witness to it by signs and wonders and miracles and the provision of the Holy Spirit. (This affirms the purpose of the miracles as understood through the Gospels, it’s how we know that what Jesus claims about himself is true. With that foundation in place, his message must be true and the call to obey it and follow him extends from that.)
The exaltation of Jesus continues. The “world to come” (think the end of the age, in which they/we are in the “last days”, ch. 1 v.2) is not under the rulership of angels but of Jesus. Hebrews author vaguebooks us here and acts like he has no idea where his quotation of “What is man…” is from. Sly boots. Its Psalm 8:4-6, which speaks of the majesty of God and the graciousness of his putting creation at the service of mankind. However, this quote serves two purposes here in relation to Jesus. One, it identifies him as a sharing the position of man when he came to serve and die on the cross, a time when he was indeed lower than the angels (affirming the counterargument the Hebrews may be having in context of chapter 1.) Yet, it also points to Jesus’ ultimate place as the “son of man” (the way Jesus refers to himself, calling us back to the Daniel 7 Messiah figure) who has everything in subjection under his feet. Except in this case, the “everything” is more than just earthly creation. In fact, our writer says that at the moment, we don’t even know everything that Jesus rules over. (Could be monsters, aliens and potentially some yet to be discovered mosquito species. Be open to other possibilities.)
Ultimately, it is fitting that that Jesus is crowned with glory and honor (in a way that mankind never really achieved) because he died on the cross so that we didn’t have to. To the writer, it makes sense that God would bring his “sons” (back to humans) to glory through Jesus, who is made “perfect” through suffering. We should think “made” in the sense of fulfillment, not changing of. Jesus lived his life perfectly on earth which is what allows him to be an appropriate sacrifice in our place.
And Jesus, this perfect, sacrificing Jesus, is not ashamed to call us his brothers (the word also means “siblings”). The rest of the chapter touches on this in one way or another. I know, certainly, that Jesus died on the cross to save me. But in practical terms, I have a hard time understanding that he is not ashamed to call me brother. He bailed me out, he continues to bail me out, and it is my actions, thoughts, and motivations that continue to causes the situation that I need bailed out of. But not only is Jesus willing to take the impact of my shameful action and pay the penalty for it, he is unashamed to proclaim to the world, to put his arm around me and say, “World, I’m Jesus. This is Ben, he’s my brother, I am happy to introduce you to him.” He who knows all, created all, gave all…not ashamed. I may live the rest of my life and not get that completely, but perhaps it will be the grace of God that I may live a life that reflects that reality.
The connection between Jesus and us are many. We are both “children” of God (in different senses, of course) but we did share flesh and blood (Jesus just for a time), and we were both subjected to the temptations of the enemy. However, the physical death of our imperfect lives could not destroy the enemy, and knowing this humanity lived in fear of death (and lifelong slavery). But Jesus, his death conquered that which brought us fear and death, the weapon of the enemy has been taken from his hands (he is bound!) and the fear of death and the slavery it brings with it no longer apply to the people of the Kingdom. That is to the benefit of children of Abraham, not to the angels, but to us, even though we were made lower than them.
The humanity of Jesus makes him the perfect high priest. The one who would enter the temple and make the sacrifices on behalf of the people and petition God’s mercy on their behalf to satisfy the penalties for the sins they had committed. Jesus is that, forever holding that role and administering the work behind it perfectly. We are safe with High Priest Jesus, whose job even has him continuing to minster to us (in his teaching, his life example, the provision of the Holy Spirit) that he might come to our aid when we are tempted. As he was human for a time, he is aware of our temptations and is able to help us as we fight against them.