Two Trees, One Salvation

The story of salvation begins with a choice—a tree in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve stood before the tree of knowledge of good and evil, tempted by Satan’s offering of pleasure and wisdom, and (we) chose… “poorly”.  They (we) chose sin and it led to death & separation from God. Yet, thankfully this was not our end. As one tree stood at the center of our corruption, another tree stands at the center of our redemption: this is the cross of Calvary, where Jesus bore our sin and made a way for us to return to God.

Adam's choice in the Garden was not just a “them and then” moment. It echoes into the present as an “us and now” reality. Like Adam and Eve, we face a choice: will we feast on forbidden fruit or will we instead reach for the Bread of Life.  If we follow in the steps of Adam we will find death, but if we follow in the steps of Christ we will find Life Eternal. The first tree, a living tree, brings death by disobedience while the tree of Calvary, a dead tree, brings Life by faith. 

This choice is illuminated in Hebrews 2, where the author marvels at “so great a salvation” brought through Jesus Christ.  Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, became human not only to share in our sufferings and punishment but also to share His comfort. Unlike Adam, Jesus triumphed over sin and death, fulfilled the Father's work and brought many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

Hebrews 2:9-18 On the cross, Jesus tasted death for everyone. He experienced the full weight of separation from the Father—crying out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt 27:46)—so that we might never experience the second death, the eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:14). Jesus overcame this death and rose victorious, declaring, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).

Through His death, Jesus also destroyed the power of the devil, who held the fear of death over humanity (Hebrews 2:14-15). By His resurrection, Jesus took the keys of death and Hades, securing eternal life for all who trust in Him (Revelation 1:18).

C.S. Lewis:   "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God."

This salvation calls us to daily choose Jesus, denying ourselves and following Him. Paul understood this, proclaiming, “I die daily” (1 Cor 15:31).

Galatians 6:14-17  But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world…(17)  From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The marks of his faith were visible in his life—marks of sacrifice and suffering, endured for the glory of Christ. These marks of Jesus were not some supernatural and ethereal mark that was unique to the Apostle Paul.  It was not a special mark that he received while in an out of body experience as he traversed the heights of Heaven.  It was the marks he received here on earth as he practically lived for Jesus on an ordinary Monday or Tuesday; physical and spiritual wounds that he bore from the daily afflictions of living for Jesus in a world that lives for itself.    (Mark of Beast vs Christ)

We are now being conformed into His image and bear not only the marks of His death but more importantly the marks of His life.  We bear His faith, His Hope and His Love.  We are now saved and being sanctified, and for this reason He is not ashamed to call us brethren. 

At the end of Hebrews 2, the author draws from Old Testament passages to emphasize Jesus’ connection with humanity and His role as the perfect Savior. In verse 12, a quote from Psalm 22:22 highlights the Messianic fulfillment of Christ identifying with His “brethren,” sanctifying them, and leading them in worship of the Father. Verse 13 references Isaiah 8:17-18, where Isaiah speaks of trusting in God and presenting his children as signs of God's faithfulness. The author of Hebrews applies these words to Jesus, portraying Him as the One who places His trust in the Father and claims believers as His children. These quotes reinforce the deep connection between Christ and those He redeems, emphasizing that He is not ashamed to call them family. Now through Jesus we have become both brethren and children of God. Jesus’ willingness to call us brethren is a beautiful and stark contrast to the attitude of the prodigal son’s older brother who said “this son of yours”. 

Charles Spurgeon:  "What condescension that our Lord should call us His brethren!

The tree in the Garden represented humanity’s fall, but the tree of Calvary represents our redemption. One tree led to death; the other to life.  We marvel at Jesus’ victory over sin and death and are reminded of the great privilege to be called His brethren (Hebrews 2:11). He has brought us into His family, sanctifying us by His Word and uniting us with the Father (John 17:22).

Today, the question remains: Will we cling to the desires of this world, or will we glory in the cross? Will we take of the Bread of Life, the eternal provision of Christ, and walk the path of salvation He has paved for us? One choice leads to separation, the other to glory. Choose life. Choose Christ.

A.W. Tozer:  "Jesus Christ knows the worst about you. Nonetheless, He is the one who loves you most."

The statement "so great a salvation" (Hebrews 2:3) unveils the immeasurable depth and breadth of God’s redemptive work. Of all the ways God could have chosen to save humanity, He chose the one that cost Him the most—sending His beloved Son to take on human flesh, endure suffering, and die a criminal’s death on the cross. This is a salvation marked by extraordinary grace and love. God did not send an angel, nor did He redeem us with mere words or commands. Instead, He entered into our brokenness, bearing the weight of our sin and tasting death on our behalf (Hebrews 2:9).                            Such a costly salvation highlights the infinite worth of God’s love for His creation.

But the greatness of this salvation is not only in what it cost God; it is also in what it accomplishes. Through Christ, humanity is not merely restored to the state of innocence enjoyed in Eden. Instead, we are raised to a far greater glory. In the Garden, Adam and Eve walked with God, but through Christ, believers are brought into union with God as His children and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). What was lost in Eden—intimacy with God and eternal life—is not only recovered but magnified. We are now sanctified and made holy, invited to share in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and to reign with Christ forever (Revelation 22:5).

This salvation is "so great" because it moves beyond mere restoration; it brings us to the pinnacle of God’s purpose for humanity—to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) and to share in His eternal glory. In this, God reveals not only His justice and mercy but also the immeasurable riches of His grace, lavished upon us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:7-8). It is a salvation that leaves us in awe, beckoning us to live lives of worship and gratitude for the One who chose the most costly and glorious way to redeem His Creation.

Hebrews 2:1-9  What is Man?

2:1-4 reminds us of Heb 1:1-2 and the gracious way that God has spoken to us.   God spared no expense in sending us His Son and we do well to take heed. 

Hebrews 12:25-26 underscores this truth: “See that you do not refuse him (Jesus) who is speaking. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns from heaven.

2 Peter 1:19  …we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…

Jesus says, “Let these words sink into your ears… (Luke 9:44).  …hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15 

This serves as a profound reminder of the seriousness of God’s communication and our opportunity and responsibility to heed it.

 

Many a man and woman have thought more highly of themselves than they ought to think; but blessed are they that rightly regard themselves in view of God’s design. 

Job 25:5-6  Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;  (6)  how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!”

Psalms 144:3-5  O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?  (4)  Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.  (5)  Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!

Job 7:17  What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him,

Isaiah 40:17-18  All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.  (18)  To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?

The awe-inspiring grace of God is seen in His care for humanity, despite our fleeting nature.

 

1. 6-8 = Psalm 8:4-6

“Son of Man” is mentioned 193 times in the Bible.  Amazingly 93 of those times are in Ezekiel and used in general to reference Ezekiel himself who was presently acting as a mediator between Heaven and Earth.  At least 86 of the remaining times it is in reference to Jesus (with the majority of those being in Matthew and Luke’s Gospels).

It is notable that the writer of Hebrews chose to include Psalm 8 which is a OT reference to the Son of Man and actually appears to have a dual application.  “Son of Man” can be referring to David and humanity in general who are relatively so insignificant and relationally so significant to our Almighty Creator. 

“We gave you but a feeble image of our comparative insignificance, when we said that the glories of an extended forest would suffer no more from the fall of a single leaf, than the glories of an extended universe would suffer though the globe we tread upon, and all that it inherits, should dissolve.” (Chalmers, cited in Spurgeon)

On a clear, dark night with no light pollution, the average number of stars visible to the human eye is approximately 2,500 to 5,000. Despite these visible stars, the total number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone is estimated to be between 100 to 400 billion, showing that what we can see with the naked eye is just a tiny fraction of the stars present in our galaxy.  However, the observable known universe is approximately 93 billion light-years in diameter and contains an estimated 2 trillion galaxies, each with billions or even trillions of stars.  Estimates suggest that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. The number of stars is roughly 10^24 (one septillion), which dwarfs any human scale of counting and yet, Earth is the only known place of life.  Pascal captured this profound contrast, saying, “The eternal silence of these infinite spaces frightens me.” Yet, in this cosmic expanse, Earth remains a uniquely privileged planet, chosen as the stage for God’s greatest act of love.

The Scope and breadth of God’s creation can rightly leave us feeling quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and yet God has proven otherwise.  God has made mankind most significant and granted us incredible authority and stewardship.  The first Adam blew it, and so have all of us.  But praise God, the Last Adam, Jesus Christ has been victorious.  Jesus has redeemed creation.  What Adam lost, Christ regained,

The author of Hebrews uses Psalm 8 to show that while mankind was originally given authority over creation, this was marred by the Fall. Jesus, as the true and perfect “Son of Man,” takes on that role, redeems humanity, and ultimately achieves what humanity could not—full dominion and the restoration of creation under God’s order.

 

The writer of Hebrews reveals that Jesus is also to be considered in Psalm 8.  It is no marvel that the Psalmist speaks of Christ:  V.2  is fulfilled in Matthew 21:15-16 centering Jesus and furthermore, V1 and 9 emphasis exalting the Name of God which Jesus does perfectly.  So it is easy to see Vs 3-8 also speak of our Savior.  They speak of His incarnation and specifically his emptying of Himself for our “visitation” (v.4).  Now He is Highly Exalted.

1 Peter 3:22  (Jesus) has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Philippians 2:9-11  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  (10)  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  (11)  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (see also: Dan 7:13-14; Matt 28:18; John 3:35; 1 Cor 15:27).

Ephesians 1:21-22  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  (22)  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 4:9-10  (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?  (10)  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Notice that Jesus was made “a little lower than the angels” but was then raised “far above” them.  In our created and finite minds, we rightly think of angels as much greater than fallen mankind.  We are correct to see a large distance between man and angels.  But this big gulf is dwarfed by the eternal distance between angels and their Creator.  This reality gives us an elevated view of God (and His Throne).  A.W. Tozer rightly said, “God is exalted far above the created universe, so far above that human thought cannot imagine it.”

Hebrews 2:1-9 reminds us that while we may seem insignificant in the face of God’s vast creation, we hold profound significance through His divine plan. The restoration brought by Jesus Christ as the true “Son of Man” realigns humanity with God’s purpose and glory. Jonathan Edwards said it well: “The creation of the world was to provide a kingdom for Christ, and the setting up of the kingdom of Christ was to provide a place for the manifestations of God’s glory.”  (How Great Thou Art)

 

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Hebrews 1.3 (reading Vs5-14) Ministering Spirits Worship the Lord God

Last week we discussed the supremacy of Jesus (V. 5, Psalm 2 and 2 Sam 7 reveal Jesus as the Pre-eminent Son of God) and introduced the role of Angels (V.6 and Ps 97 says that they worship the Messiah).  This week we will examine a few OT quotes as we lift of the Name of Jesus and consider the incomparable comparison between Christ and His Angels.

Hebrews 1 continues to reveal that Jesus is “so much better than the angels (v. 4)”, and uses these holy and powerful angels as a reference point so that we can understand just how Holy and Powerful Jesus is.  V. 6-14 is a series of contrasts between Jesus and the Angels:

Angels Worship Jesus: as previously discussed in V. 6.  If all of the angels worship Him, so should we.  Having established that all angels worship Jesus, we now turn to their secondary yet significant role as ministering spirits, serving both the will of God and those who are heirs of salvation.

Angels are fiery ministering spirits: 

2 Kings 2:11  And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 

2 Kings 6:17  Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

Ezekiel 1:13-14  As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.  (14)  And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.

1. 7 = Ps 104:4 is quoted which is a passage that praises our Sovereign Lord for His Creation and Providence. V. 4 is just a small part of His majestic creative ability (that happens to talk about angels). V. 1 ~ God is revealed as the Creator and Sustainer who is “clothed with honor and majesty” and walks upon clouds and wind. 

Angels are not seen sitting on thrones but rather serving; serving not just the LORD but also those who will inherit salvation.    

Psalms 34:7  The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psalms 91:11  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Genesis 19:16  And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Daniel 6:22  My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, …

Daniel 10:11  And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

Matthew 2:13  Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

Acts 5:19  But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

Acts 10:3  About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”

Acts 12:7  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.

Acts 27:23  For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,

Luke 16:22  The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,

Matthew 24:31  And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 20:27-28  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:  (28)  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.  If Jesus served us, it is a great honor for the Angels to follow in His example. 

Angels in all of their beauty and strength, are created beings that God has placed in ministry.   Throughout time, some angels have been worshipped, the good ones always decline worship.

Revelation 22:8-9  I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,  (9)  but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Vs Luke 4:7). 

Colossians 2:18-19  Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism (false humility) and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,  (19)  and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.  (Rom 1:25). 

Instead we “hold fast to the Head” (Jesus Christ) (κρατέω krat-eh'-o  to use strength, seize, retain.) 

 

 

The next 3 OT quotes exalt Jesus:

1. 8-9 = Ps 45:6-7 (Read 1-8) is quoted as spoken to the Son. The Psalm has been given the title “The Glories of the Messiah and His Bride” and has beautifully been used in weddings.

               The language here is unique and enlightening on it’s own, and beautiful and inviting when  placed in the context of Ps 45.  Twice in the passage this King Messiah is referred to as God and then explained to be greater than His companions.  Who are the companions?  Most believe they are fellow anointed-ians; either all of the children of God or all of the other anointed people in the Bible (prophets, priests and kings).  Clearly, Jesus is the greatest of either of these anointed groups.  He is the Head/Groom of His Bride and He simultaneously and eternally holds all three of the Anointed categories.  The phrase “more than your companions also seems to fit the context of Hebrews 1 as the writer is evidencing Christ’s superiority (in this case to angels).  

Voddie Baucham: “The supremacy of Christ is not just an idea. It is the essence of our worship, devotion, and life.” Charles Spurgeon: “Depend upon it, my hearer, you never will go to heaven unless you are prepared to worship Jesus Christ as God.”

 

 

1. 10-12 = Psalm 102:25-27 again, the entire Psalm is a contrast; in this case between temporary man and the Eternal Nature of God. V. 11-12 “my days are like a shadow…But You, O LORD, shall endure forever”. This comparison is not earth shaking on its own, but but consider why it is being employed: not to express the humanity of Christ but rather His Deity.  He is the one who “does not change” and whose years “have no end”.  In Ps 45 we see Him as the Great King, but here in Ps 102 He is the eternal Creator.   We understand the NT to be in agreement here as Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever.  …He is before all things, and by him all things consist (Colossians 1:17).   Not only does Jesus reign supreme as King, but Psalm 102 affirms His divine nature as the unchanging, eternal Creator, setting Him apart not just from angels but from all created beings. 

 

1. 13 = Psalm 110:1 is a passage that is clearly talking about Messiah (Matt 22:43-44). As evidenced in Matthew, it was a passage that the Jews recognized to be talking about Messiah but could not comprehend how. Further, to recognize the Authority of Jesus as evidenced in Ps 110 would be to incriminate themselves as ones subject to that Authority.  Things have not changed today for us.  When we see Jesus, High and Lifted up, when He enlightens our hearts, we know that we have a responsibility to serve Him.  When we see Him as He is, we feel the urgency of Ps 2, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way”…instead… “Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”   Alistair Begg: “There is no one more holy, powerful, or deserving of our worship than the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

This Jesus that we trust is the Author of Eternal Salvation (Heb 5:9);  A salvation that is so great that Angels long to look into these things (1 Pet 1:12).  Now how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?   You know the answer, “we won’t”. 

Recognizing the supremacy of Jesus is easy.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.  The real challenge is, “what are you going to do about it?”  How is your life going to show that Jesus is LORD?  For starters, don’t neglect His Salvation; instead cherish it.  Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord with your mouth and with your life. 

C.S. Lewis:    “A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” –

Now we acknowledge the goodness of God by holding fast to the Head….then

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Hebrews 1.2 “Firstborn”

Vs. 3 and 4: language similar to Philippians 2:8-11  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  (9)  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  (10)  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  (11)  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   The subject is the supremacy of Christ specifically centered around His, emptying, death/burial/resurrection and ascension. 

So begins chapter 1’s main focus of revealing the supremacy of Jesus and distinguishing Him from angels. 

Vs. 5 and 6

How are we to perceive the Christ in view of His title as “Firstborn”?

Some religions (especially those often consider cults) use verses like this and Colossians 1:15  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” to falsely assert that Jesus was created and is therefore not God.  Some will then take the metaphoric language of Proverbs 8, apply it to Jesus and again conclude that Jesus had a beginning (thus not God). 

Let’s take a deeper look…

πρωτοτόκος  pro-tot-ok'-os  first born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively): - firstbegotten.

 X 9 in the NT and always in relation to Jesus (Ex Heb 11:28).  We will find several places where Jesus is referred to as begotten and or the Firstborn; how should this be understood?

Vs 5 also quoted in Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.

Psalms 2:6-12  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  (7)  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  (8)  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  (9)  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.  (10)  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  (11)  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  (12)  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.  The question is: what “day” was He begotten?

Vs 6 This OT quote is harder to track down, but most scholars point to Ps 97:7 and/or Deut 32:43.

Psalms 97:7  All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!       Notice that the “Day” quote is in close proximity to Angels worship.

 

Could the “day” of V 5, be sometime “in the beginning” (as some try to twist):    “Yes”

John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1 John 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.    (Rev 13:8).

These verses indicate Christ’s Sonship prior to His incarnation. 

“Only begotten”(μονογενής mon-og-en-ace only born)  points us to something other than birth order.    

Could this “day” being referred to, be the day of Christ’s incarnation?   “Yes”

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.     

Luke 2:13-14  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  (14)  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”   (at Christ’s Birth).   

When we think of Jesus’ birth, there is a clear Biblical context for such thoughts: His physical birth as a baby (Matt 1:18; 2:1; Luk 2:7  And she gave birth to her firstborn πρωτοτόκος son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes).   This could be “the Day” we are looking for.

 

Is there another possible “day” of this Birth?   Yes.  Psalm 2 is quoted in another passage….

Acts 13:30-37 

The Topic is clearly Resurrection and the subject of our worship is clearly Jesus.   So clearly this repeatedly quoted passage in Psalm 2 has to do (at least in part) with the resurrection of Jesus. 

Well the writer of Hebrews quotes another passage in V.5 that we have not yet mentioned:

2 Samuel 7:12-14  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.  (13)  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.  (14)  I will be his father, and he shall be my son….  

Talking about Solomon?  Maybe a little.   Talking about Jesus? Absolutely.  And what is the building that Jesus would build for a place of Worship?  The temple of His glorified, resurrected body, which was the First Born from the Dead . 

Romans 8:29  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Cain was the first one born on the planet (as far as we know). 

The son of the widow of Zarephath (in 1 Kings 17:17-24) was the first person resurrected (as far as we know). 

But Jesus and only Jesus, is the Firstborn from the dead.  

Colossians 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Revelation 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

               Romans 1:4 says that Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead…”  This revelation agrees with God’s declaration of Jesus’ sonship at both His baptism (Picturing His death/burial/resurrection) and His Transfiguration which was a sneak-peek into the Resurrection.  So there is a clear case in scripture that the “Day” we are seeking is specifically the Day of His Resurrection.  The preponderance of scripture points not just to Christ’s incarnation but more so to His Resurrection. 

 

The Preeminence argument:

Some commentators focus on broader concepts in scripture like the doctrine of Firstborn Sonship.  This doctrine emphases not the order of birth but the superior qualities of the one born.  The firstborn was the one that pleased the Father (think Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Ephraim, Solomon).   Again we hear the voice of our Heavenly Father “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”    

Specifically, consider how David, the 8^th born, is called the Firstborn.    

(foreshadowing the 8^th day; often called the Lord’s day; “1^st day of the week” & Resurrection Sunday)

Psalms 89:26-29 (V20, “David”) He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.  (27)  Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.  (28)  My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.  (29)  His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.    (A Messianic prophesy)

Jesus, the second or “Last” Adam (1 Cor 15:45), is the Firstborn and is a “Life Giving Spirit”, not because of His Birth-order but rather because He is the Worthy Prince of Life.      

1 Corinthians 15:22-23  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  (23)  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.  (When did Jesus rise from the dead? On the Feast of Firstfruits.)  

 

Whether the topic of Preeminence fully answers the question of “how is Jesus the Firstborn?”  It is clear that God the Father has given Jesus preeminence over all created things.  If Jesus is supreme over all creation, should He not have first place in our hearts and lives?  Is Jesus first in your life?  Say “yes”, and by grace through faith, make it so.