Jesus Is Greater Than the Angels

Books have been written in which the author describes experiences of talking with angels face to face in the bedroom. Other authors have stated that we can call upon angels to do our bidding. There is even teaching that suggests that we can pray to angels or to people who have gone on from this planet.

It seems that angels and discussions about them, whether good or evil, is fraught with incredulous ideas and a plethora of heresy.

Since angels were such an important part of the Jewish religion, the author of Hebrews takes a good deal of time in dealing with this topic. One of the factors which was mentioned frequently in the Bible, is that angels helped deliver the Law to the Israelites. Another factor is that the religious leaders were adding to the biblical teachings, giving angels almost mythical, superhero status. Multiple names were given for various angels and have found their way into books which have sold many copies. All of this easily leads into worshiping and revering angels on a level with God.

I could go into a great deal of information about this connection of angels and the Jewish religion, but I’ll leave that to you to look into on your own if you’re interested. I spent a good deal of time studying this, only to realize that I probably was more fascinated in this, as well as deeply troubled by it, realizing it would not really be where the Lord wants us to go this morning.

Today’s section of Scripture in Hebrews 1 can help us discover the core teaching in today’s message. The key part of today’s message is this:

Jesus is greater than the angels.

As we look into these verses, the writer actually quotes seven passages from the Old Testament. If it looks a bit different that what the Old Testament says in your Bible, understand that the variance can be attributed to the fact that the author of Hebrews most likely used the Greek Version of the Old Testament, which is known as the Septuagint. The names, Septuagint, comes from a word which means seventy; as it has been assumed that seventy or seventy-two men translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek.

Jesus Has A Greater Name - 1.4-5

Hebrews 1:4–5 NASB95

having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me”?

What is that name? According to verse 5, Jesus is given the Name of Son. The writer states, a more excellent name than they. Aren’t the angels referred to as the sons of God? Yes, but not one angel can be called God’s Son. Also, in the Jewish culture, a son was considered an equal, not like that of a servant. If a king would come to another country to visit, bringing along his son, the expectation would be that the son would be treated with the same respect and honor as given to the father.

We see the first quote from the Old Testament coming from Psalm 2.7. When reading the Psalm in its context, we see the Father speaking, followed by the Son speaking. There is absolute authority from both. Curiously, we wonder as to the idea that Today I have begotten you. In the context, this decree in Psalm 2.7, is an eternal decree from God. Thus, the use of the word Today cannot speak to any one particular day. Paul brings further clarity to this in Acts 13.33.

Acts 13:33 NASB95

that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’

We see also that this was further affirmed by what Paul wrote in Romans 1.4.

Romans 1:4 NASB95

who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

The word begotten in Hebrews 1.5, can also be translated one of a kind. Jesus is not like the angels, for His essence is the same as the Father. We know that Jesus, the Son of God, wasn’t born or created because He is God.

The second quote is from 2 Samuel 7.14. Even though, in the immediate context, it was in relation to David speaking of Solomon; because the author used this quote here, we know that the Holy Spirit was intending it to also speak specifically of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Is Able to Be Worshipped - 1.6

Hebrews 1:6 NASB95

And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.”

What is the meaning of again? Word order is of incredible importance, and when a translation does not do this accurately, it creates confusion. It appears to be when Jesus comes to set up His kingdom, or what we refer to as the Second Coming. It is then that even the angels will come to fully understand all that has taken place and why.

It’s important that we don’t assume with our mindset that firstborn is actually talking about someone who is born first or before someone else. In the Old Testament, Solomon was called the firstborn. However, he was actually tenth in the 1 Chronicles genealogy. So, then what is the meaning of firstborn? According to most scholars, this refers to the privilege given to one who receives the inheritance with the special blessing that was given by the father. One scholar stated that this word doesn’t refer to Christ’s birth, but rather His sovereignty. It is not a time word; it is a right-to-rule word, an authority word. We have seen this multiple times in the Old Testament; with Esau and Jacob, as well as Joseph’s sons.

How does that fit with Jesus? We recall that Colossians 1.15 tells us that Jesus is firstborn of all creation. He created all that there is. He caused himself to come back from the dead.

We also see throughout the Bible that the angels worshipped Him. This is a quote from Deuteronomy 32.43, found in verse 6 here. In fact, God commanded the angels to worship Jesus. By the way, we know that none of the angels would worship anything that was created, nor would they allow themselves to be worshipped.

This is also important because we know that the angels worshipped Him before He came to earth in His incarnation. They worshipped Him beforehand as God. Once Jesus took on the form of man permanently, the angels were to continue to worship Him as the Son. Since worship can only be given to God, we can deduce that Jesus, the Son, is God.

Jesus Has A Greater Role - 1.7-9

Hebrews 1:7–9 NASB95

And of the angels He says, “Who 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, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

In verse 7, we understand that Jesus doesn’t serve the angels, it is the angels who do His bidding. Obviously, they were made or created by Him. This quote comes from Psalm 104.4. Now to our minds, it might seem that the winds are angels, which would make Southwest Kansas really full of angels. But that’s obviously not the case.

This is where we get to put on our Greek thinking caps, along with our Hebrew ones. The word for wind is also translated spirit. We know that Jesus created the angels. We also remember that they do not have physical bodies, though they can assume physical bodies when they are on the earth doing God’s bidding. Thus, they are spirits. Angels served Jesus while on earth and continue to do so. They also serve us, but only on God’s commands, not ours.

Not only is Jesus in charge of the angels, but verse 8 lets us know that Jesus is the One Who is on the throne, not the angels. Also, angels were created, so they are not eternal. Jesus is eternal. Jesus is God, which we find affirmed in this verse from Psalm 45.6, as well. Jesus is not a second rate God. He was not simply a prophet, nor should He be considered a super angel. It is painfully obvious that Jesus is God. The Father has identified Him as such. Jesus spoke of this equality throughout His ministry on earth. The apostles continued teaching this very same truth.

Everything which Jesus did was because of His love for righteousness. Coupled with that would be the obvious understanding that Jesus hated lawlessness. That is why many find themselves almost angry when we see lawlessness seeming to prevail. Because we love that which is right. Though we do so with a fallible, sinful nature. A believer cannot honestly say that they love God and love sin. Too many Christians have not come to understand that we must hate sin and not want to have anything to do with it, for it is an attack upon Jesus and His very nature.

We see in verse 9 that Jesus was anointed . . . with the oil of gladness above your companions. Peter refers to this verse in Psalm 16.11 when he is speaking at Pentecost. This also has some reference to Psalm 45, which speaks of a wedding. Thus, we have the referral of your companions, which would be understood in the Jewish mindset. The wedding party of companions for the groom were to serve him with whatever he wished or needed. The angels were to serve Jesus in the same manner.

Jesus Has A Greater Existence - 1.10-12

Hebrews 1:10–12 NASB95

And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.”

These verses are actually taken from Psalm 102.25-27. Remember when I stated that Jesus created the angels. So, then, the angels are a part of creation. Jesus is not a part of creation. Jesus will continue eternally and does not nor will He change. He is not a part of the new creation, but will bring in a new creation. He has always existed and will always exist.

These verses are also a reminder of the temporal nature of this world and all that is in it. I know that it feels like everything should go on and on forever. But we know from God’s Word, that it’s going to be destroyed. Plus, everything that we are familiar with, the heaven and the earth, are going to be created brand new. I appreciate the simplicity one commentator shared: The creation will be changed, but not the Creator.

Jesus Has A Greater Purpose - 1.13-14

Hebrews 1:13–14 NASB95

But 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 render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

The quotation in verse 13 comes from Psalm 110.1. Angels are serving and will be serving Jesus, Who is seated on the throne. No angel has ever been offered to sit at God’s right hand. Simply put, there will come a day, when everything that exists will be completely subject to Jesus.

Revelation 19.15-16 presents an amazing picture of Christ’s rule over the new heavens and the new earth. Jesus’ purpose will be to rule everything. The angels’ purpose is to serve believers, those who will inherit salvation.

Ponderings

As the title and the thesis proclaims, Jesus is greater than the angels. And if you remember from earlier in this sermon, we talked about the Jews’ focus on angels in their religion, because of the angels’ involvement in bringing the Law to them through Moses.

Put 2 and 2 together. If Jesus is greater than the angels who helped bring the Law, then it is also obvious that Jesus is greater than the law. For those who were tempted to go back to the law with its checklists, do’s and don’ts, regulations and requirements, this should give great pause to think. Why would anyone want to go back to something which was less than Jesus? Why would anyone be tempted to focus on anything other than Jesus?

My friends, the same truth is relevant to each one of us. Don’t be tempted to look to anything or go back to anything other than Jesus Christ, regardless of the difficulties you may be currently facing.

Jesus is greater than the angels.