[Photo by Karren McPherson from Maddiston, Falkirk]
a) Jesus is better than the angels in His title (v. 4, 5).
having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? [Hebrews 1:4-5 ESV]
He has a better Name. Angel means a servant or messenger. To the Lord Jesus He says, Son (Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14). He is, was and will always be God’s eternal Son by His divine nature. By His human nature, He now becomes God’s Messianic Son. The eternal sonship of the Lord Jesus is different from His Messianic sonship. The word “essence” or substance in verse three is timeless and it tells what He is, because the word “become” in verse four indicates what He has obtained in time. He received that title of Messianic Son because of His finished work on the cross, resurrection, and also because of His human nature.
b) Jesus is more than the angels in His worship (v. 6).
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” [Hebrews 1:6 ESV]
The angels worship the Son. They have already worshipped Him as God, and now they are called to worship Him as the Son. The word Son has nothing to do with time, but it has to do with His title as God (Colossians 1:15, 18). World means the place that is inhabited. The world to come has to do with His return (Revelation 21:1-4). The angels also respond in joy (Psalm 97:7; Revelation 5:1). At His return, the Lord Jesus is seen by them all as the One who is Most Exalted, and He is greater than the angels. The title “Firstborn” speaks of His dignity. Worship is always focused on God and the Lord Jesus! Obviously, God’s Messianic Son is also 100% God’s Eternal Son.
c) Jesus is more than the angels in His character as 100% God and as 100% Man (v. 7).
Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” [Hebrews 1:7- 9 ESV]
The angels were created as servants described as a flame of fire (Psalm 104:4). The word spirit is also wind or breath. The flame of fire has to do with judgement (Genesis 19:13). The angels brought the message of judgement upon Sodom (Psalm 78:49). They obeyed God. The Son is also the eternal God (Hebrews 1:8). The Son has also an eternal throne and He also has a royal sceptre. In Hebrews 1:9 we see the other side of the Lord Jesus: His incarnation. He is forever the glorified, sympathetic, compassionate and praying Man who sits in heaven and is also the loving Advocate for us. The Lord Jesus loves righteousness (James 1:17; 1 John 1:5; Psalm 119:117). This is the beautiful character of the eternal Son.
d) The Lord Jesus is more than the angels in His eternity as the Creator (v. 10).
And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; [Hebrews 1:10 ESV]
We see God speaking about Jesus as the Creator (Psalm 102:25-27). Jesus was without beginning and without end (Heb. 13:8). We wear out our clothes. Heaven and earth also perish. Only the Lord Jesus remains the Same forever. Angels were created by Him, not all remained faithful, and judgement awaits them (2 Peter 2:4).
e) The Lord Jesus is exalted over all the angels (v. 13).
And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? [Hebrews 1:13-14 ESV]
In this verse it says: And to which of the angels has He ever said: Sit at My right hand, until I have made your enemies a footstool for your feet. God has never said that to the angels, but only to the Lord Jesus. And one day every knee shall bow to the Lord Jesus (Philippians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 15:25). The Lord Jesus is described in these verses. The work of the angels is never finished! In sharp contrast to the exalted position of the Lord Jesus, the angels are ministers and ministering spirits (v. 14). That is why they must and can obey.
How does this affect us as believers in the Lord Jesus.
We are joint heirs with Christ, and the angels will serve believers forever. To inherit salvation means to be saved, past, present and future. As for the past, the believer is saved from the penalty of sin. As for the present, the Lord Jesus saves and preserves all who come to God through Him. He is able to do this because He always lives to intercede for them (Hebrews 7:25). As for the future, there is complete salvation when the Lord Jesus comes a second time (Hebrews 9:28), when the saints are with Him in heaven and He takes possession of His inheritance.
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