February 9, 2020

Scripture: Hebrews 1:4-14

I. Jesus has a better name than angels.

A. In Hebrews 1:4 we read that Jesus has “become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” In speaking about the name here, the author is referring to the title of the angels and the title of Jesus. Angels are called ministers in verse 7. They are servants of God. But Jesus has the title of Son as we see in verse 5. Jesus is the son of God. And no angel is ever called the son of God. When God says of Jesus in verse 5, “You are my Son,” this is a legal formula of recognition of Jesus’ status as Son of God. After Jesus died on the cross and then was raised and exalted to the right hand of God, that is when God says, “Today, you are my son. Now that you have finished your work of dying for sin and being raised to life, you are appointed to reign as king of the universe as my Son.” Jesus is much better than the angels.

II. Jesus is worshiped by the angels.

A. Listen to verse 6: “And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.” Who is greater? Is it the one who is worshiping? Or is it the one who is being worshiped? Clearly, the one who is being worshiped is greater than the one who is worshiping. Sometimes in the Bible we see people worship an angel. See Revelation 22:8-9. But angels tell us not to worship them. Jesus, however, never refuses our worship. John 20:28-29: “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” Jesus accepts worship because Jesus is in fact God. Unlike an angel, Jesus deserves our worship. And so both we and the angels worship Jesus. We worship Him because He is greater.

III. Jesus rules the angels.

A. Look at the contrast between angels and Jesus in vs. 7 and 8. In verse 7 we see, “Of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.’” Angels are ministers. Angels serve. But what about Jesus? We read in verse 8, “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.’” Jesus is God. Jesus is King. To sum up then: angels serve; Jesus rules. We are reminded of God’s victory in Romans 16:20: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” Who is Jesus? He is a warrior king who works together with His Father to destroy His enemies. Jesus is not a weak king. He will conquer all His enemies. He is the Lamb who was sacrificed for us, but He is also the roaring lion.

IV. Jesus created the angels.

A. The last Bible verses that the author of Hebrews refers to come from Psalm 102:25-27. These verses show that Jesus is greater than the angels because Jesus is creator. The angels are just creatures. We read in verse 10, “You, lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” Jesus created everything – including the angels. One of the wonderful things about Jesus as Creator is that He never changes (vs. 12). Jesus as the eternal God is the same yesterday and today and forever. Creation changes. But Jesus never changes.

Application:
Be impressed with Jesus. Jesus is more impressive than angels and everything else.

Sources:
The book of Hebrews
Commentaries on Hebrews by Thomas Schreiner, William Lane, and Raymond Brown
Bible study by Michael Kruger