Jesus is Greater than Angels

Hebrews 1-2

Words to define:

Grace – Unmerited favor; free gift from God through faith

Propitiation – Appeasing the wrath of God, turning it away, through Christ’s work/sacrifice, through Christ’s atoning work on the Cross. There are two parts: Turn away wrath and then reconcile the sinner to God.

Hebrews is also considered one of the most beautifully written and stylistically polished books of the New Testament, a literary masterpiece. The author is a master of rhetorical debate and persuasion. He uses imagery, metaphor, allusion, Old Testament analogy, and typology. The author weaves a beautiful garment of biblical theology with the aim... of exalting the supremacy of Jesus Christ.

The central motif of Hebrews is “Jesus Christ is better” (the words “better,” “more,” and “greater” appear a combined 25 times). Hebrews 1–12 outlines a powerful theological argument for the superiority of Christ above all created things and all Old Testament counterparts, with a special focus on encouraging the reader to persevere in the faith that has Christ at its center.

Through encouraging words, firm warnings, and contrasting examples, the author often calls the reader to respond to Christ in worship.

Hebrews contains 35 direct quotations from the Old Testament, along with many allusions and references. With the Old Testament background in mind, the author argues that God’s glory and redemptive plan are finally and most clearly revealed in Jesus Christ.

The superiority of Jesus is demonstrated in that he is greater than any angel, priest, or old covenant institution. Christ is the complete atoning sacrifice and final priest. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of all the Old Testament hopes and promises.

Here, starting in 1:5, through chapter 2, Jesus is shown to be superior to the angels as the unique Son of God (Heb. 1:5–14). Because of his status as the Son of God, Jesus enjoys a unique relationship with the Father in position, nature, and authority. Jesus is also presented as the unique Son of Man, which establishes him as the true sacrifice for sin and introduces him as the sympathetic High Priest (Heb. 2:1–18).

This passage (2:1) also contains the first of five warnings in the book of Hebrews; here, we are warned to trust in the salvation provided through Jesus Christ.

The author makes this clear: Jesus is Supreme. What does this mean? He is the Highest Authority. He has the Highest office. He is the Head. He is the Chief, the Top, the Greatest. Jesus has the Supreme Name. The Name above all Names.

The main theme in chapters 1-2 is that Christ is superior to the angels. Christ is the Greater Messenger and His message is the Greatest Message. God used angels in the Old Covenant to deliver messages, but Jesus is the Great I Am Who sent and used them.

Jesus is the Great “I AM,” the eternal God Who has always existed as God the Son. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and everything has been made by Him, through Him, and for Him.

All of creation, including angels, are created by the Son of God.

God has used angels, His holy messengers, all throughout His story. Angels are ministering spirits who are created to serve God and to do His will.

There were those Jews back then who believed that angels were the highest beings next to God, and there was a sect of Judaism which established a community that taught that the archangel Michael’s authority was greater that that of the Messiah/Christ.

Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Michael is Jesus and Jesus is Michael, the archangel. This can be found on JW.org.

Michael is mentioned in the Scriptures, and he is mentioned as “one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:13). We see him mentioned in Jude 1:9, contending with the devil about the body of Moses. We also see him in Revelation 12:7-8 fighting against the dragon and his angels.

Jesus has said that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me… not Michael, or any other angels. Michael had to rebuke Satan in this way, “The Lord rebuke you…” Jesus just rebuked him.

No angel is Sovereign Lord, only Jesus.

Jesus is the Only … Only… Begotten Son. God the Father has never given that name to another. Verse 6 – Let all the angels of God worship Him. All means “all.”

Verse 7 – The angels are “His angels.”

There is a unique, a one of a kind of relationship that exists here, between the Father and the Son.

Yes, there was a point in time where God the Son, became flesh, and was made lower than the angels… In His human condition and nature. He was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7-8).

What does it mean that He is the “First-Born” over all creation. This verse along with Colossians 1:15-21 teach us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the Creator of all things; He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

He is first-born, not first created. In Greek and Jewish culture, the firstborn was the ranking son who had received the Father’s inheritance. You did not have to be born first in order to be called the “first-born.” Christ is the “only begotten” not the “first begotten.” Christ is Creator, not creation.

So what does it mean: First-Born? Christ is the Highest, Christ has the inheritance, the leadership, and the authority of God. The phrase proclaims Christ’s preeminence. What does that mean? He is superior over all things. He is the Ruler of creation. He is exalted to the highest place.

John 17:5 – Jesus prayed that He would be restored to the glory that He had before the world was created… and then where do we see Him after He ascends? He is sitting at the right hand of the Father.

Hebrews 1:13 – And it is here that the Father says, “Sit at my right Hand until I make your enemies a footstool for Your Feet.”

Hebrews 1:9 – Messiah/Christ means, “Anointed One.” In order to be God’s Prophet, King, and Priest… you have to be anointed. Prophets anointed these in the world, but Who Anoints the Anointed One? God. God the Son is the Anointed One of God.

*We will read later how Christ is superior over the other prophets and priests.

This Anointed One laid the foundation of the earth and formed the heavens. They will perish one day, but the Anointed One will never perish and will never changed. (Read Job 38:1-7)

Angels can change. Angels can choose to rebel. Satan and his followers are believed to be fallen angels. The ones that fell in Genesis to corrupt humanity were enslaved in the abyss.

2:16 – God does not give help to angels but only to the descendants of Abraham.

Verse 14 – Angels are to be ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation. Matthew 18:10-14- Believers have angels who are helping and serving them. Do not despise God’s little ones, His children. Their angels are always watching the Father’s face, to serve the child of God when commanded.

Daniel 4:13 calls this angelic being a “watcher.” Daniel prayed and an angel was sent to minister to him (Daniel 9 and 10). Angels minister to Jesus in Matthew 4:11. They minister to Jesus in the Garden (Luke 22:43). Jesus said that He could call them, and 12 legions of angels would come.

God’s angels are always watching and God and His holy angels are very concerned with the health and well-being of God’s people.

Hebrews 13:2 – Teaches that we could be entertaining angels unaware, when we see strangers. They are all around, and they are important. But Christ is Supreme.

So church, hold on to your faith that has come through this Person. Do not shipwreck your faith. This faith and message did not come from an inferior being… It came from God. It came from the highest source and authority.

Galatians 1:8 – And if we or an angel from heaven should preach a different Gospel/message than the one the Christ has given… Let them be under God’s curse.

This Person, Christ has the final say. As God the Father spoke to the disciples in Matthew 17:5 – This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him! We should do the same. Listen to Him! Above all, listen to Him!

2. Warning One: Against Neglecting Salvation (Heb. 2:1–4)

The author bolsters the reliability of the Mosaic law by the fact that it was given by the angels. God did use them to communicate the Law. If the Mosaic law came with consequences for disobedience, how much more recompense comes for those who reject salvation attested by God the Father and God the Son, and confirmed by signs, wonders, and miracles (Heb. 2:3–4?

Rejecting God’s word through angels is bad. Rejecting the Son is worse.

3. Hebrews 2:5–9 states that the present world and the world to come are subject to Jesus Christ. But at the present time, believers do not clearly see Jesus’ supreme rule over the cosmos. Moreover, humans are temporarily lower in status and authority than the angels, in light of the Fall and of man’s failure.

In Hebrews 2:10–13, the author cites Psalm 22:22 and Isaiah 8:17b–18 to show that the followers of the one unique Son of God are now also called “sons,” for they are adopted into the newly redeemed human family through Jesus’ perfect life and sacrifice. What are the benefits of being a son of God, or brother of Jesus Christ (see Gal. 4:1–7)?

In Hebrews 2:14–18, we see the connection Jesus has with humanity in that he took on “flesh and blood.” However, unlike what any other human could have done, Jesus stormed the gates of death, defeated the Evil One, and liberated us from slavery to death (Heb. 2:14–16). Christ has defeated Satan and Death and has set us free from both!

DRANK DEEPLY OF DEATH. As the perfect sacrifice, Jesus tasted death on behalf of everyone who believes (Heb. 2:9). Even more so, Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath to the bitter end in order to consume the wrath of God on behalf of believers, thus destroying the death grip of the Devil (Heb. 2:14–15, 17).

In Christ, there is no fear in death, only hope in life. On the cross, Jesus did away with the power of death. In his powerful resurrection, Jesus sealed the promise of new eternal life.

Verse 17-18 – He is a merciful and faithful high priest who is able and willing to help those who are in need today.