The Exalted Christ is worthy of Worship

Thesis: Jesus is Superior to the angels and worthy of Worship

The writer’s claim is that Jesus is superior to the Angels (1:4)

The thesis is supported by reasoning from the OT

Explanation: Hebrews contains more quotations and allusions to the OT than any other NT book. The author continually dives into the OT to support the concept of the superiority of Christ. The original audience would be familiar with their Bible (remember - the NT was still being written and distributed) and would be able to follow the reasoning. The text under review (Heb 1:5-14) contains seven (7) quotations from the OT, with 5 of them coming from the Psalms and 1 each from 2 Samuel and Deuteronomy

Jesus is the singular Son of God as opposed to Angels as sons of God (verse 5-7)

Explanation: The writer quotes from Psalm 2 and the Greek reading of Deut 32:43 for his first point, namely that Jesus has a superior status than the angels. Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm that addresses the reign of the Anointed One over the nations of the world. In Psalm 2:7 God speaks in the language of begetting the Son and in context this refers to His exaltation through the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension and rule over the nations.

The term “this day” or “today” in v. 5 is connected with v. 6 in which the author says, and again when He (God) brings the firstborn into the heavens. The Greek word for “world” is not the normal word for the inhabited world. While it can have that meaning, in Hebrews 2:5 the same Greek word is used and it clearly refers to the next world. (Hebrews, EBTC, by Thomas Schreiner, p. 69). The term firstborn as applied to Jesus refers to His preeminent status (cf. Col 1:15), and does NOT mean that Jesus had a beginning.

Argument: The OT uses the phrase “sons of God” to refer to angels in the collective sense (Genesis 6:2, Job 2:6, Job 38:7), but never refers to a single angel as the Son of God. In verse 7, the angels, while extraordinary and supernatural beings, are declared to have the status of created beings. The angels are quick and powerful to do God’s will, but they do NOT have the status of the Son.

And, in verse 6 of our text, God is the One who commands the angels to worship the Son. God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14) who does not share His Glory (Isaiah 42:8). Interestingly, whenever an angel is mistakenly given worship, an immediate correction is given. (cf. Rev. 19:10 & 22:9) No such correction is made for worship directed to Jesus

Jesus IS ruling from the Eternal Throne while the angels are servants to the redeemed (Hebrews 1:8-14)

Explanation: The writer makes another contrast between Christ and the angels, this time in relation to ruling. Immediately after declaring that angels are servants, he reminds his listeners that the Son is the One who is ruling from the Throne. It is important to note that in addressing the Son, God says, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever” (v. 8). The Father is clearly attesting to the Divinity of the Son.

The writer then pulls from Psalm 102 to discuss the truth that the Son is the Creator who brought forth the temporal universe. This psalm echoes with the truth that this worlds-realm is passing away, but that the Son is unchanging and Eternal.

Argument: These truths about the Son are contrasted with the angels . The angels are powerful beings and are capable of amazing and powerful things (destroying cities, opposing demonic forces, etc.), but God never elevated an angel to the preeminence of Christ. Angels are servants of the Most High and they carry out His will. Interestingly, one of the directives they have been given by God is to provide watch care for the Elect. That truth should encourage the hearts of the saints!

Application:

The status and nature of Christ as the Son of God is clearly shown to be superior to the angels. Jesus IS worthy of worship

The Bible is revealed to have internal consistency - the message of the NT matches with the message of the OT. This is because the Bible is supernatural - and it is unique - there is no other book in the same category. God is the Primary Author and Scripture is His special revelation. The Bible fits together because He designed and developed it.

The NT gives a fuller and more developed interpretation of the OT. This is the concept of Progressive Revelation. The OT is just as inspired and inerrant as the NT. The message of the NT, however, is one of fulfillment and gives greater clarity to the OT. The original readers of Psalm 2, Psalm 110, and Psalm 122 would have understood that the words of these Psalms transcended any earthly king. They did realize this and that’s why they were looking for a Messiah. Yet they were unable to see Jesus as He is revealed in the pages of the NT.

It is crucial to have an understanding of the over arching narrative of Scripture. The author of Hebrews was a master of the Word who was able to synthesize the message of the OT to show how it points to Jesus. Some of the specific OT references used in Hebrews to demonstrate Jesus IS the Messiah, may even be some of the ones that Jesus Himself used when talking to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:25-27)

The point is that the message of the OT is still important! Modern Christians are NOT to “unhitch from the OT” like false teacher Andy Stanley suggests. Instead, we are to dig into the Scriptures. We are privileged with access to the entirety of the Bible and we should be engaged in study of the Word that we may be “approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Conclusion:

There are many false and dangerous ideas about Jesus floating around in today’s world. A common misconception among many is that Jesus was a real historical person, but that He was just a good man who was also a great moral teacher. This is NOT the biblical Jesus and this way of thinking and believing will send people to Hell.

As a believer you CAN be equipped with the biblical knowledge to confidently share the message of Jesus. The book of Hebrews has a clear presentation of Jesus as God in the flesh - dig into this book and learn its message - it will increase your confidence in sharing the Gospel message.

For those who are still undecided - realize that Jesus is THE only hope. He is the sole Savior and the Lord of Glory. Surrender today!