2 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. ² For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, ³ how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

⁵ For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. ⁶ But one has somewhere testified, saying,

“What is man, that you think of him?
    Or the son of man, that you care for him?
⁷ You made him a little lower than the angels.
    You crowned him with glory and honor.
⁸     You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

Commentary

Musical Selection (lyrics in video)

Collect

Friday after Ash Wednesday (Hebrews 2:8b-13)

For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet. ⁹ But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. ¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, ¹² saying,

“I will declare your name to my brothers.
    Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”

¹³ Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” 

Commentary

How would it be possible to name [Christ] our brother or to call us sons and daughters properly if it were not for the nature — the same as ours with which he was clothed?… And it was especially necessary for Paul to say "in the same way" so that he might refute the reproach of making the incarnation a fantasy. He makes all of these points in order to teach those who suppose that the Son was lower than the angels that he endured suffering for a necessary reason. (Theodoret of Cyr)

Musical Selection

The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty Victor's brow.

The highest place that heav'n affords
is His, is His by right,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
and heav'n's eternal Light.

The joy of all who dwell above,
the joy of all below,
to whom He manifests His love,
and grants His name to know.

To them the cross with all its shame,
with all its grace, is giv'n,
their name, an everlasting name,
their joy, the joy of heav'n.

They suffer with their Lord below,
they reign with Him above,
their profit and their joy to know
the myst'ry of His love.

The cross He bore is life and health,
tho' shame and death to Him:
His people's hope, His people's wealth,
their everlasting theme.

Collect

Stay with us, kind and gracious Lord,
on the penitential journey which we have begun,
that the outward discipline we practice
may be matched by sincerity of heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday (Hebrews 2:14-18)

¹⁴ Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁶ For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Commentary

For our sake Christ became a merciful high priest. The Law given to the people of Israel through the mouths of angels ordered the immediate punishment of those who fell into sin. Paul tells us that anyone who violates the Law of Moses is put to death on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Under the Law, therefore, priests never had the least thought of showing mercy to anyone convicted of negligence. But Christ became a merciful high priest. He did not punish people for their sins, but justified all by his grace and compassion. Moreover, he taught us how to worship in a spiritual way, and by giving us a clear vision of the truth, he showed us how to live worthily. This is the message of the Gospel. (Cyril of Alexandria)

As the sinless body of the Lord was subjected to the evil and the temptations of suffering befell it … therefore, having the sinless body, having been tried and having suffered, he has the just and blessed power over evil, can deliver humans who are dying under sin from the temptations that fall on them, and he can defend from the temptations. If the Lord had righteous and blessed power over there audacious evil that attempted his sinless body, he also is able to release those who are subject to sin and temptations and to be the helper of those who are tempted. (Photius)

Musical Selection