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Hebrews One - Greater Than Angels
Hebrews One - Greater Than Angels
The writer of Hebrews affirmed that Jesus is the heir of all things, the creator of all things, the radiance of the very glory of God, the exact image of God's nature, the savior of men, and is now sitting on the right hand of the Father in heaven. As such he is a greater messenger than the prophets that God used to reveal the Old Covenant.
In the New Covenant, it is also stated that such revelation came thru the use of angels. In speaking of the Old Covenant, the writer of Hebrews states that it was 'the message declared by angels' (Hebrews 2:2). Stephen also claimed that 'the law was delivered by angels (Acts 7:53). Paul declared that the law was 'put in place through angels' (Gal. 3:19).
The New Covenant is declared, delivered, and put in place by the Son of God. As the Son of God, He is better than angels. God declared of Him: "This is my son in whom I am well pleased" (cp. Matt. 3:17; 17:5). Declaring Jesus to be the Son of God was the application of Psalm 2:7 and 2Sam. 7:14 (compare Hebrews 1:5). God the Father commanded the angels to 'worship Him' (the Son). While the Son thus received worship, the angels are said to be servants / ministers (Heb. 1:6-7).
The Son is addressed as God and proclaimed to rule in righteousness (vs. 8), to have been anointed by God (vs. 9), to have created the heavens and earth (vs. 10), and to be eternal (vs. 11-12). While God said that He would make the enemies of the Son to be 'a footstool' for His feet, the angels are again said to be servants.
When we finally grasp the greatness of who Jesus is, we can only stand in awe that He would die for us. In the words of our hymn: "Alas, and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head, for such a worm as I?" --- and we humbly answer YES. Seeing such great love for us (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8), how can we ever betray it? We love him with all of our heart, soul, and mind for we are loved.
Hugh DeLong
