Better Than Angels
Hebrews is a letter that was written to a very Jewish audience. The Jewish people were loyal to the covenant that God had created with them from Abraham through David. They had seen God work in miraculous ways over and over again. They had a great reverence for angels as powerful beings who participated in the things of God. God made a new covenant with His people through the life, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus. Over 500 people saw Jesus after He had risen from the dead, and these people spoke of this new covenant through Jesus. This letter (Hebrews) pointed out the fact that Jesus is better in that He is the fulfillment of the old covenant and is ushering in a better new covenant.
Hebrews 1:3-14 points to the fact that Jesus is better than the angels. In verse 3 we see that the angels were there when the Law was given. They rescued God’s people, and people bowed before them, BUT Jesus’ name and who He is is better than the angels.
In verses 5-6, we see that Jesus’ title is Son of God, and the angels not only submit to Him, but they worship Him. That makes Him better than the angels.
In verse 7 we see that angels are ministers, but Jesus has the right to rule because He has authority over the Kingdom.
In verse 10 we are reminded that Jesus was there at the beginning as the foundation of the world was laid. He is eternal, while the angels and this world are created. That makes Jesus better.
In verses 13-14, the Father invites Jesus to sit in His proper place at the Right Hand of the throne of God and to put His feet on the footstool that is made of His enemies. The angels are ministering spirits who serve as a support for God and His followers.
Angels are sent from God to leverage their great power to minister to believers. Jesus is the Son of God and worthy of all worship and allegiance. He is ENTITLED to every amount of worship and service that will ever be given to Him.
We sometimes give the role of the angle to Jesus in our thoughts and prayers. We should remember who we are and who He is. We should adjust our lives to Him as our King.
To Discuss Today:
1. How do you address Jesus? Have you given Him the role of angel instead of the role of Majesty and King? How?
2. We are servants of Christ. What does that mean for you and your family?
3. How will you follow Him this week as the rightful King that He is?
4. This week, focus on worship instead of asking Him for “things”.