things in subjection under bis feet," etc. The psalmist in the original passage amplifies this "all things:" "All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field," etc. There is a reference to Gen. i. 26-28," Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea," etc. In this world man is God's vicegerent. He was made by his Creator to exercise dominion over all things and all creatures here. II. THE FAILURE OF MAN TO REALIZE HIS TRUE DESTTh"Y. Cl But now we see not yet al_l tbin~s put under_ him." It is unmistakably clear t~at at present man's so_vere1g~t:r m_ the world 1s not complete. The sceptre has slipped from his grasp. H1s_do':1'11mon 1s contested. He ha., to contend against the creatures that were put in sub1ect1on unto him. The forces of nature sometimes scorn his authority and defy his power. Man has not now complete rule over his own being. His passions are some- times insurgent against his principles. His senses are not always subordinate to his spirit. His appetites war against his aspirations. Sin has discrowned man. He has lost his purity, therefore has he lost his power. In his present condition he is far from realizing his glorious destiny. Ill. THE DIVINE MEANS FOB ENABLING JIUN TO REALIZE HIS DESTINY. .. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels," etc. 1. The Son of God ha, taken ttpon himself human nature. " We behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus." "Who being in the form of God, deemed not his equality with God a thing to grasp at, but emptied himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men." As man was "made a little lower than the angels," so, in becoming man, our Lord also was" made a little lower than the angels." 2. In his human nature he endured death. "That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (1) The death of Jesus was voluntary. In his case death was not inevitable. He was not forced to die, "I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it away from me," etc; "The Son of man came . . . to give his life a ransom for many;" "Christ Jesus gave himself a ransom for all." The voluntariness was essential to the influence of his death as an atonement and as an inspiration. (2) The death of Jesus was for the benefit of man. "Taste death for every man." In this place"for"{inrlp)does not mean"instead of,"but"ou behalf of." Alford well says," Where this ordinary meaning of lnrlp suffices, that of vicarious- ness must not be introduced. Sometimes, as e.g. 2 Cor. v. 15, it is necessary. But here clearly not, the whole argument proceeding, not on the vicariousness of Christ's sacrifice, but on the benefits which we derive from his personal suffering for us in humanity; not on his substitution for us, but on his community with us." He died for "every man." The benefits of his death, its inspiring and redeeming power, are available "for every man "-for the poorest, the obscurest, the wickedest, etc. (3) The death of Jesus for man is to be ascribed to the kindness of God. "That he by the grace of God should taste," etc. Our salvation is to be ascribed to the unmerited kindness and love of Gorl towards us. "The gmce of God bath appeared, bringing salvation unto all men." " When the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness," etc.; "God commendeth his own love toward us," etc. 3. On account of his endurance of death he has been raised to supreme glory and authority. "Because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour." His exaltation to this might and majesty is in consequence of his voluntary humiliation and suffering and death. "He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him," etc. This was necessary to the perfection of his redemptive work. "On the triumphant issue of his sufferings their efficacy depends." 4. He has been exalted to this supreme position as the Head of humanity. Not the angelic but the human nature has God raised to the throne. "For not unto the an"els did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak." This Christian economy, this n;w world of redemption by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, in all its developments, is placed under ~ur ~rd. In our humanity, ~n_d as our Head and !'or~- runner, he is enthroned the Krng 1n the new realm of D1vrne grace. Humanity is crowned in him. Through him alone can we realize our glorious destiny. We must: (1) Believe in him. Our text intimates this. "We behold him . . . even Jesus." 'l'his "behold" does not express an indifferent, uninterested sight of him; but the earnest look of faith, the believing contemplation of him. Dy faith we become one with him. (2) Imitate him. 'l'he sacrifice of the cross leads to the splendo1Jr of the crown. OR, U, 1-18.) THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 61
The true sovereignty is reached only by the way of service. " If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him."-W. J.