Hebrews 2:9-10, which speaks of Jesus being crowned with glory and honor, tasting death for all humanity, and bringing many sons to glory through His sufferings. This encapsulates the core of the Gospel, demonstrating both the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the magnitude of His triumph. Let’s explore and expand on these concepts.
1. Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9)
This verse highlights the paradox of the Gospel—Jesus, the eternal Son of God, was made "a little lower than the angels" when He took on human form. In His humility, He became subject to human frailty, suffering, and death. Yet, it is precisely through His suffering and death that He is now crowned with glory and honor.
Christ's exaltation to glory came through His willingness to endure the cross. It was not an immediate honor, but one that came after He fully completed His mission. By taking on the punishment of sin, He became the triumphant Savior, worthy of all glory. The crown of glory signifies not only Christ’s victory over death but also His eternal kingship and authority over all creation.
2. By the Grace of God, Jesus Tasted Death for Every Man
At the heart of this passage is the truth that Jesus' suffering and death were not random acts, but part of God’s gracious plan for humanity’s redemption. By the grace of God, Jesus tasted death for every man. This statement conveys the completeness and sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice.
To "taste death" means that He fully experienced the agonizing separation and punishment that death brings. But He did so not for Himself, for He was sinless, but on behalf of all humanity. His sacrificial death was made once and for all, and by it, the power of death was broken. This is the ultimate expression of God’s grace—His unmerited favor extended to all people through the sacrificial work of His Son.
John 3:16 echoes this truth: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus' death was for everyone, though it requires faith to partake in the salvation He offers.
3. In Him Are All Things, and By Whom Are All Things
The passage also refers to Jesus as the one "for whom are all things and by whom are all things." This reveals Christ’s preeminence and sovereignty over all creation. Everything exists for Him—to bring Him glory—and everything exists through Him, as He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Paul reinforces this truth in Colossians 1:16-17: "For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
This highlights the cosmic role of Jesus in creation and redemption. His work on the cross was not just a momentary event in human history but was the climactic act of God's eternal plan, through which everything is restored to its intended purpose—bringing glory to God.
4. Bringing Many Sons to Glory
The next phrase, "bringing many sons unto glory," speaks of the ultimate goal of Christ's redemptive work—bringing believers into the fullness of God’s presence and glory. Jesus’ sacrifice was not just about saving us from sin but also about elevating us to a place of glory.
As believers, we are adopted into God’s family through Christ, becoming co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). The phrase "many sons" reflects the inclusivity of salvation—it is not limited to a few but is available to all who believe. Jesus is the Captain or Author of our salvation, leading us into the fullness of the glory He has prepared for us.
This bringing of "sons to glory" indicates both our present sanctification and our future glorification. While we are being transformed daily into the likeness of Christ, we await the full realization of glory when we are united with Him in eternity. 1 John 3:2 states: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
5. Made Perfect Through Suffering
The passage concludes with the remarkable truth that Jesus was made perfect through suffering. This does not mean Jesus was imperfect before, but that His mission of salvation was completed or perfected through His suffering. His suffering on the cross fulfilled the righteous demands of God’s justice, making Him the perfect and complete Savior.
This principle of perfection through suffering is essential to understanding the Christian life. Just as Jesus' suffering was necessary for our salvation, we too are called to share in His sufferings as we journey toward glory (Philippians 3:10). Suffering for Christ refines our faith and shapes us more into His image.
Jesus’ perfect obedience, even unto death, has now opened the way for us to be reconciled to God. He completed the work that no one else could, securing eternal salvation for all who put their trust in Him.
Conclusion
The passage from Hebrews 2:9-10 encapsulates the essence of the Gospel. Jesus, though humbling Himself to the point of death, is now crowned with glory and honor. By the grace of God, He tasted death on behalf of all humanity, triumphing over sin and death. As the Creator and Sustainer of all things, He brings many sons to glory, leading them into a relationship with the Father. His salvation was perfected through suffering, demonstrating that the path to glory often involves trials and pain. Yet, through His sacrifice, we are promised eternal life and a share in His glory.
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