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It was the year 1943, when an author named Philip VanDoren Stern wrote a short story he had been thinking about for a while and tried to get it published. Sadly, it was never picked up by any publisher, but still liking this story, He decided to personally published 200 copies himself and sent these 21 page booklets titled, “The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale” out to his friends as Christmas cards.
Well one of those pamphlets made its way to Hollywood where actor Cary Grant indicated an interest in playing the lead role in a screen play based off this booklet.
However, the rights for the script were sold to a director named Frank Capra who developed it into a movie where actor Jimmy Stewart played the lead role in the film, we all know as “It’s a wonderful life.” I’m sure many of you have watched this Christmas classic already, maybe even this year.And as many of you know, it’s about a man named George Baily who contemplates taking his own life due to some unforeseen circumstance, and before he goes through with it, an angel named clarence comes and shows him what his life or the lives of the people who know him would be like if he had never been born. As we think of that film, and even contemplate what would it be like if we had never been born, I think as we celebrate Christmas this year, maybe it would be beneficial for us to consider the consequences of what our lives would be like if Jesus had never been born.
What if the incarnation never took place? What if the Word never took on flesh and dwelt among us. As we spoke of the mystery of the incarnation last week, what if God didn’t keep his promise that the seed of the woman would come and crush the serpents head. What if the prophecies never were fulfilled, and the virgin didn’t give birth to a son and Immanuel never dwelt among us? I think it is safe to say, if the incarnation never took place, our lives and our souls would be utterly lost.
If the Son of God would never have been born in Bethlehem, if Christmas never happened, then Easter would not have occurred. If the incarnation did not take place, then the crucifixion, the resurrection, the ascension would never have happened. Our faith, as Paul states, would be worthless; we would still be dead in our sins…and we of all men would be pitied (1 Cor 15:17-19). Our future would be nothing but hopelessness, fear, and a future in hell. But the incarnation did happen, and like George Baily who went from utter despair to unspeakable Joy.
I believe we can find that same joy this morning. And I pray, as we look at the implications of the incarnation, we will end with Joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8), by praising God like the Apostle Paul did in 2 Cor 9:15, by stating “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” With that begins said, I want to begin by looking at three positions Jesus experienced regarding the incarnation, and we’ll find those in Hebrews 2:9. Then as we dwell on those, we’ll begin apply those to our lives and see three implications where we can rejoice, thanking the Lord the incarnation took place. Turn with me to Hebrews 2:9-18, but again we’ll be focusing mostly on verse 9, but apply these implications as the author displays them in verses 10-18.
P1: The first position we see Jesus experience and where We find Joy in the incarnation is in His humiliation (9a)
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely Jesus,
You might think it odd that I would use Jesus’ humiliation as a means for our joy.
I mean if my kids were to find joy in someone else’s humiliation, I would probably be discouraged in their behavior. But this humiliation isn’t looking at Jesus in a way that we may think of humiliation. It isn’t a feeling of shame or causing us to lose respect for Jesus, by saying “Oh look Jesus, the God-man, He’s lower than the angels he created.” No, this is rejoicing in the fact that the Son of God humbled himself by actively taking on flesh, actively becoming a man, and for a little while in his humiliation, was made lower than the angels he created. I think that’s what author of Hebrews is arguing throughout this letter. This was written to a more Jewish Christian audience, who for the most part were being persecuted due to their faith in Jesus at the time of Nero being emperor, probably around the late 60s AD. And they were being tempted to deny Christ and return to their religion of Judaism, in order to avoid any backlash for their beliefs, And they seem to be contemplating “Is Jesus worth it.” And due to that temptation, the author expands his argument by saying Jesus is worth it, and He’s better than anything Judaism has to offer. Jesus Christ is better than Moses, He’s better than Aaron, He’s better than the OT sacrificial system, He’s even a better sacrifice. And He’s even better than angels! We see this specifically as the author relates this fact in Chapter 1:3-4 by stating, “He (Jesus) is the radiance of His (the Fathers) glory and the exact representation of His nature, and He upholds all things by the word of His power…and then in v. 4 he says He’s much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they. And that all makes sense because he’s their creator right? I mean Paul state in Col 1:16-17, speaking of Jesus, For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions 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. Even in v 6, referring to Christ, the author quotes “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” Therefore, we see that Jesus is eternally superior to Angels, but then in our text we see that he was made lower than the angels. So how do we deal with this contrast? First, he’s better than the angels, but now is lower than them? How do we put this all together. Well in verses 6-8, the author quotes Psalm 8
What is man, that You remember him?
Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him?
“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;
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
This Psalm is speaking specifically of mankind. And the author of the psalm is really asking why would you God ever bother with man, because we’re even lower than the angels. He marvels at God’s mindfulness of humanity, but then highlights humanity’s role as image-bearers of God, And what was their task as image bearers? their task was to have dominion over creation, under God’s ultimate authority (Gen 1:26-30). But we know from last week, man failed (Gen 3), they disobeyed God, therefore, the author of Hebrews I believe, reminds his readers of God’s love for mankind by quoting this psalm, And the incarnation of Christ as we’ll see described here, is the greatest proof of that love, because Jesus wasn’t sent in the form of an angel, no he was sent in the form of a man, who, as he quotes this Psalm, is lower than the angels. Therefore, even though Jesus is superior to angels, because Jesus is God for Him to be “lower than the angels” it reveals the depth of his voluntary humiliation because by means of his incarnation, which is “The act of being made flesh,” as he assumed a human nature, becoming lower than the angels, He humbled himself by becoming man. That’s exactly what Paul is saying in Phil 2, the passage that Ernie just preached on a couple weeks ago.
Phil 2:6-7 who, although He existed in the form of God (fully and truly God, superior to angels), He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied (humiliation) Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men (lower than the angels). We see this displayed in verse 14 of Hebrews 2 as well, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same. Therefore, this lowering (which literally means to make inferior, to diminish, to become less) It’s the same word John the Baptist used when he said He must increase, but I must decrease, I must be made inferior, I must diminish and become less. This being made lower than the angels is the act of The eternal son willingly taking on the weakness and frailty of humanity. And just to give you a little comparison of angels to men, there is a difference. Angels are ministering spirits (Heb 1:14) they aren’t subject to weaknesses of a physical body. Yet in Christ’s humiliation as revealed in the incarnation, there are times he became physically weak. Matt 4:2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
John 4:6 Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. Angels were created morally pure deemed holy as seen in (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels), therefore, they aren’t subject to God’s law as humans are. Yet, Jesus, in his humiliation, subjected himself, to be lower than the angels, was born under the law to fulfill its demands perfectly on behalf of sinful man. Gal 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law. I mean angels, outside of those who fell with Satan, they don’t experience continual temptation as we humans do. But Christ, who was made lower than the angels, has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Heb 4:15). Therefore, the point of Jesus being made lower than the angels, reveals to us the depth of his humiliation. And we find joy in that humiliation because his voluntary acceptance of this lower status was for a specific purpose, wasn’t it? It was for our redemption. Listen to John Owen as he comments on Christ’s humiliation
“His (Jesus) being made lower than the angels was an unparalleled act of grace; for whereas they (angels) had an original constitution in glory…He willingly condescended to take on our nature, suffer our infirmities, and undergo the punishment due to our sin.”
So, as he humbled himself to be lower than the angels, He did it because in God’s perfect plan of redemption, the humiliation of the incarnation was not optional, Jesus taking on the act of being made flesh was not a secondary thing, there was no plan B. So, Jesus, the eternal son of God, the second person of the trinity, humbled himself and was made for a little while lower than the angels. And we find joy in that humiliation. Just a footnote here, do you ever wonder what the angels think of all this? I mean when we think about Christmas we think of angels. Angels were involved in the announcement of Christ’s birth, Luke 2:14, the multitude of the heavenly hosts proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Why would God be pleased with these fallen creatures? But have you ever thought about the fact that there is no Christmas for angels. The Son of God never became an angel to redeem fallen angels. Hebrews 2:16 says that, “For assuredly He does not give help to angels”
There is no gospel for fallen angels, no redemption, no plan of salvation but only future and eternal condemnation for fallen angels. I’m sure the angels must have wondered and marveled on the day their creator humbled himself and became lower than them. The mystery of all that was happening, Peter even states, (1 Peter 1:12) that the gospel consists of “things into which angels long to look.”
Therefore, thinking of that, as Christ was made for a little while lower than the angels, in His humiliation, this profound truth should lead us in joyful worship, as much if not more than the angels themselves. knowing that in Christ’s lowering, His humiliation, lifts fallen humanity. As Paul stated so profoundly in 2 Cor 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake, He became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” What grace right?
As John Calvin stated, “Christ put on our nature, to deliver us from the corruption of our own. The Son of God became the Son of man, that we might become the sons of God.”
In Jesus’ humiliation, being made for a little while lower than the angels, we find joy as he came to redeem fallen humanity. But not only do we find Joy in the incarnation due to Christ’s humiliation
P2: We find Joy in the incarnation due to Christ’s affliction
Because of the suffering of death (9b)
Friends this is why Jesus came. Remember last week we looked at the purpose of God in light of the mystery of the incarnation? And we saw in Isaiah 53, the purpose of God, through his suffering servant, was to redeem fallen man, bear the sins of many, be that perfect sacrifice, fully satisfy God’s wrath, and triumph over sin and death. And the writer of Hebrews is relaying that to his readers. This is why Jesus came, find joy in the incarnation as he was made lower than the angels, but also through His suffering of death. He became a man so that as a man he might die for sinful man. He did not come specifically to be a great example to follow. He did not come specifically to demonstrate how we must suffer. Although he did all those things, it is not cliché to say that Jesus was born for one purpose, he was born so that he could die. And he came to suffer death so that through death he might give life to all who believe in him. We see this all throughout the Scriptures, Matthew 1:21, you call his name Jesus, for (causal conjunction) He will save his people from their sins.
He came to give Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age (Gal 1:4)
He came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)
Jesus over and over again relayed this to his followers.
John 10:17-18, I lay down My life so that I may take it again. “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.
Jesus humbled himself to lay down his life. If we look at the gospel of Mark for instance, three times we see Jesus state specifically why he came. After Peter confesses Jesus to be the Christ
It says in Mark 8:31, “and He began to teach them that the son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elder and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed.
Later, after the transfiguration, where they see Jesus in all his glory, he says in 9:31, for He was teaching his disciples and telling them, The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him.”
And again, right before they enter Jerusalem in 10:33, Jesus tells them, the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priest and the scribes and they will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the gentiles, They will mock Him and spit on Him and scourge Him and kill him.”
We can even go to Luke’s gospel, and we see Jesus, speaking to the two on the road to Emmaus, and he begins to explain to them, “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things? (Luke 24:26)
He even went through the Scriptures with them to explain to them the things concerning himself. Jesus’ affliction was part of God’s predetermined plan to bring about salvation. He came to suffer and die. And if we go back to Hebrews, the Author expands on that thought, in v 10, by saying that very thing, “for it was fitting for Him, it was fitting for him to Suffer and die, why?
For the purpose of bringing many sons to glory, to perfect (complete) the author of their salvation through sufferings. Therefore, we find joy in that affliction, because the son of Man, who was made lower than the angels, the lamb of God, our great high priest, our substitutionary sacrifice, the author and perfector of our faith. He endured the cross, He despised the shame,
He entered the holy place “ONCE FOR ALL” having obtained eternal redemption (Heb 9:12) because of the suffering of death.
Charles Hodge states, “The affliction of Christ involved more than merely assuming a finite nature; it involved suffering, not merely as a man but as the sin-bearer under the curse of God.”
Jesus’ affliction, the suffering of death, was the climax of his incarnation, because that is where he as a man bore our sin and suffered the wrath deserved for us.Therefore, we can find Joy in the incarnation not only in his humiliation and affliction, but also, in his exaltation
P3: The Joy of the incarnation due to Christ’s exaltation
Crowned with glory and honor (9c)
The phrase “crowned with glory and honor” encapsulates the entire theme of Christ’s redemptive work. And it should remind us that His exaltation is both the vindication of His obedience and the guarantee of our future glory. Because the word “crowned” suggests a victor’s crown, which was given to a champion in an athletic competition. Therefore, the author is telling us, that Jesus because of his humiliation and affliction, because of his finished work, was crowned victorious due to his completion of his redemptive mission. And we see that displayed through his resurrection As Paul declared in Eph 1:20-22 “He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.” That’s a victor’s position. Even Jesus at the end of Matthew’s gospel, stated, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matt 28:18). He is exalted with glory and honor as Lord of all. Paul continually expressed this truth in his writings. Because Jesus was obedient to the point to of death, even death on a cross. What comes next? Exaltation right?
Phil 2:9-11“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
I love how Herman Bavinck underscores the necessity and significance of Christ’s exaltation. He says, “The exaltation of Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. His being crowned with glory and honor, is the triumphant proof that sin has been atoned for, death has been conquered, and life has been restored.”
We find joy in the incarnation due to Jesus’ exaltation because we know without it there would be no victory over death. So by lowering himself, becoming a man, Jesus secured our eternal glory in his humiliation, in his affliction, but also in his exaltation. Therefore, because of all that Jesus accomplished we can say with Paul 1 Cor 15:54-57,
“Death is swallowed up in victory. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should find joy in the incarnation shouldn’t we? Because we know as the author of Hebrews tells us in this verse, in Christ’s humiliation, His affliction, and especially his exaltation, there is future glorification for us as his people. That’s the purpose clause that comes next, “So that He in his incarnation might taste death for everyone.” What Joy and comfort knowing he accomplished it all on behalf of sinners like ourselves. So that’s how we find joy in the incarnation as we look at the position Jesus experienced. But how do we live this out each and every day? How do we live a life in expressible and full of joy, and then maintain that joy? Well, the author gives us some reminders, because of the Jesus’ humiliation, affliction and exaltation.
We maintain that joy in the incarnation because we know we have a Savior.
Look at v 10, for it was fitting for Him (Jesus), for whom are all things, and through whom are all things (he’s creator of all, everything is from him and to him and through him) to bring many sons to glory. Because we have such a great savior, we who were once enemies of God are now called sons and daughters of God. That’s what Paul relates in Col 1:21-22, And although you were formerly alienated and enemies in mind and in evil deeds, but now He reconciled you in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. Only a perfect savior with a perfect sacrifice could do that. And he did this by not saving us from a distance but becoming like us as the author of our salvation. Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith, he endured the cross he despised the shame, and he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2). He’s our savior, and not only our savior. As He brings many “sons” to glory. What’s even more comforting is as v 11 says, He’s not ashamed to call them brethren. We rejoice that through the work of our savior, we are adopted as sons and daughter of God. We have a savior who calls us brethren. Matt 28:10, Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see me. What comfort and joy to know we have a savior, a friend, and a brother in the Lord Jesus Christ. What Grace!
And it give us assurance as well. Not only can we maintain joy in knowing we have a savior,
But because of Christ’s incarnation and redemptive work, there is no need to fear death. In Christ’s humiliation, affliction and exaltation, (Hebrews 2:14-15) he rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. We who are believers have no reason to fear death, because Jesus defeated the devil’s hold over death. He came to destroy the works for the devil (1 John 3:8). Therefore, the fear of death is replaced with hope, trusting in the promise of eternal life.
1 John 2:25 says, This is the promise which He Himself made to us: Eternal life
God has give us eternal life, and this life is in His Son, He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)
Do you have that assurance? Do you have eternal life? It comes through faith in the incarnate Christ! Jesus says, (John 11:25-26) speaking to Martha, who just lost her brother, I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?! I ask you now do you believe this? Come to me I will give you rest, I will never cast you out, I will never leave you nor forsake you, Come to me. But if you do know Christ, you have comfort knowing because of Christ, death has not power over you. Rev 1:18, Jesus says, Do not be afraid, I am the first and the last, and the living One, and I WAS dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I (because all authority in heaven and earth was given to Him) I have the keys to death and hades. Death has not power over us as believers.
So, we find joy knowing we have a Savior, knowing we have no fear of death
Lastly, We maintain joy in the incarnation because we have an advocate who represents us.
Our savior, because he humbled himself in the incarnation, v 18 “He Himself was tempted in that which He suffered, and He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. He understands our state of being. We see this in that wonderful passage in Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
How can we draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. Because Our perfect High Priest, who made propitiation for all our sins, past present and future, is our advocate between us and the Father, who, as Paul says, is at the right Hand of God (crowned with glory and honor) and what is he doing? He’s interceding for us (Rom 8:34). What joy and comfort knowing that our savior, our advocate is holding us fast
He will hold us fast, He will hold us fast
For our savior, our advocate, our King our Lord loves us so
He will hold us fast.
That is the Joy of the incarnation. Jesus in his humiliation was made for a little while lower than the angels, In his affliction, suffered death, And in his exaltation rose victorious, conquered death, crowned with glory and honor. And as Savior as he tasted death, brought many sons to glory, Eliminating the fear of death, and intercedes for His own. Let’s meditate on those thoughts this week as we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus.