“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9)

Our text verse makes reference to a key aspect of Christ’s Incarnation; namely, the fact of His humanity. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is also the Son of Man. But what does this aspect of Christ’s Incarnation mean to us; and how does it pertain to the overall plan of redemption?

First, we need to know that “Son of Man” in no way indicates that Jesus had a human father. Biologically speaking, Christ did not have a human father. And yet He was very much human, as He was born of a woman. And in His humanity, He became the Captain of our Salvation.

For a moment, let’s consider Christ’s Position as the Son of Man. Hebrews 1:4 tells us that Christ was “made so much better than the angels” because He is the Son of God and the rightful Recipient of worship. Hebrews 2:9 tells us He “was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.” It may seem to be a contradiction that Christ is simultaneously better than and lower than the angels. This contradiction is dispelled by understanding the function of Christ’s Position as the Son of Man.

The word “better” used in 1:4 refers to suitable functioning at a certain task. Something is ‘better’ if it excels that which it is ‘better than.’ A tool that was specifically designed for a task is better than one designed for another job. A screwdriver may function as a hammer, but it could never excel at driving nails. For this, a hammer is ‘better.’ While the angels are perfectly suited for their created purposes, Christ was made better than the angels for His Position as the Head of all principalities and powers (Colossians 2:10).

Christ’s better position is further seen in His function as a Saviour. It was not possible for angels to taste death for every man. Here we see that Jesus did something that angels cannot do. He suffered and died as a perfect Substitute for humans. Jesus Christ was able to do this because He became a man. He was the Son of Man, born of a woman, and partaker of flesh and blood; made in the likeness of sinful man, yet without sin. It was necessary for Christ to become a man so that He could suffer death in the position of man.

Hebrews 2:10 goes on to tell us that Christ was made “perfect through sufferings.” Of course, Jesus Christ is Himself perfect in every way. We must understand verse 10 to mean the perfection of redemption. Here, the word “perfect” means complete. It is saying that the work of redemption could not be complete unless Christ became a man and suffered for man. Jesus did not save us by giving an order to that effect. Neither does He merely forgive us our sins. He became like us so that He could die for our sins, paying our sin debt, and destroying the power of death.

In this matter, it was necessary for Christ Jesus to become a man to save our souls by perfecting, or completing, the work of redemption. He is the Son of God who became the Son of Man so that He could purchase eternal redemption for us, “bringing many sons unto glory” (Hebrews 2:10). The angels could not suffer and die to propitiate (appease) the wrath of God on fallen, sinful man. Instead God Himself bore our punishment Himself. This He did as the Son of Man.

But there is further benefit to Christ’s Incarnation as the Son of Man. Because He lived on earth and has endured suffering for us, we know that Christ understands exactly what we need every day. Jesus ate, slept, walked, and lived as a man, teaching us a most-valuable lesson: it does not require miraculous power to live a life to the glory of God. In spite of possessing power to change events at will, Jesus Christ – the Son of Man – shows us that we need only to submit to the Will of God; then the Power of God can flow through us and we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Because He is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ is able to identify with us. Accordingly, He is able to “succour” (Hebrews 2:18), or supply, aid, direct, help, the saints while we live here on earth. He is truly our Advocate, because He has been made like us – “lower than the angels for the suffering of death.” He is our perfect Comforter, having endured suffering on our behalf. He is our Lord and Savior – Son of God and Son of Man.