For a short time lower than the angels

in Hebrews 2 we find these words

1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Since this chapter started with a "therefore" that means I have to go back to chapter one to find out why this "therefore" exists.

In chapter one I learned that

1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The rest of the chapter went on to explain the various ways that Jesus was better than the angels. Jesus was begotten by God, Jesus was God's son, Jesus was worshiped by the angels, the angels have a particular function, Jesus will reign forever, Jesus has been anointed by God, and Jesus will always be around, from beginning to no end.

So just who are the angels?

14Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

So when the writer to Hebrews tells us

1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

We must needs pay attention to it. If we believe the angels, we should much more believe Christ. Jesus is far greater than the angels. If the angels could distribute retribution for failing to listen to them, how much more retribution could Jesus deliver?

I needed to think about that for a moment or two.

God has done all kinds of things to show us salvation.
he has given us different signs and wonders. He declared it! He distributed gifts through the Holy Spirit. Let me not, let us not, neglect such a great salvation!

Imagine this... Jesus, who I know from the first chapter was higher and greater and better than the angels, for a short time, was made less than the angels.

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Why? So that "by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."

Jesus, higher than the angels, worthy of glory, reigns forever, made lower than the angels so that he might taste death for me! That he might taste death for you!

We don't have to die. He died for us.

Through death Christ destroyed the one who has power of death (ie Satan).
Through death Christ removed me from slavery.
Through death Christ helped me, not the angels, so that is why he became human.
Becoming human made Christ the merciful and faithful high priest that he is. Able to help me in/through all things.

14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Just think, Christ did this for me.