Day 4

Bible passage: Hebrews 2:5–9 (ESVUK)

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Thinking about the new creation and prayer

The new creation as a place ruled by Jesus. He is seated on the throne in heaven at present (v7–8) and has defeated death, sin and suffering. But these verses look forward to the day when we will see all things in subjection to Jesus (v8), we will see Jesus on the throne, and death, sin and suffering will be brought to an end forever.

  • Earlier in the Bible narrative, in 1 Kings 3–10, we see the goodness of the world when God is at the centre. Israel's golden era under King Solomon, God’s king rules. Why is it so good—and so much better—it is Jesus who will be on the throne, ruling in the new creation?
  • Think: make a list of 10 things that will be gone from this world when Jesus’s rule is visibly revealed. If you’re finding this hard, you could think about bad or evil things (such as wars or crime) that will be brought to an end and good things that won’t be spoiled or tainted by sin or suffering.
  • Pray: the Lord’s prayer. As you pray “your kingdom come” consider what it means for the rule of Jesus in the new creation to come:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Today

Every time you look at the news today, think about or write down every news item that will not happen in the new creation, in a world ruled by Jesus. Think of all the news associated with lockdown that will not happen in the new creation.

Thinking further

Make it a daily habit to look at the news differently. Thank God when you look at the news once a day for all the things that will not happen in the new creation and think about the new creation, where these events will never happen again.