Hebrews 1 - The Ministry of Angels!
Today we start the book of Hebrews. It is a very interesting book as it teaches how the Jewish faith is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Here is a link to read an overview of Hebrews. It would be worth it for you to read before we begin our journey through Hebrews.
Introduction to Hebrews Insight for Living
God’s Final Word: His Son
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
The writer to the letter of Hebrews begins by showing the superiority of Jesus, who he calls "the Son". Importantly Jesus is the radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of who God is. If you look at Jesus, you are looking at God. It is only as Jesus is fully God, that he can be the sinless sacrifice for the world.
The writer makes it clear that Jesus was not an angelic being, as some early heresies claimed, but as God he was much superior to the angels.. After all, He created the angels and they serve him. Note the importance of "his word" which sustains all things.
In His earthly ministry Jesus constantly demonstrated the power of His word. He could heal, forgive, cast out demons, calm nature’s fury all at the expression of one word. Here we see that His word is so powerful that it can uphold all things. - Guzik
The Son Superior to Angels
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”(a)? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”[b]? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c] 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”[d]
The writer points to the unique relationship between God the Father and God the Son. He quotes Psalm 2:7, which is one of the Messianic psalms. The big hang up for the Jews was that Jesus claimed to be God's Son. The writer is writing to Christian Jews, who were being persecuted by Emperor Nero, so he wanted to assure them that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.
Today I have begotten You: God the Father also spoke to God the Son and described Him as begotten. The word begotten speaks of the equality of substance and essential nature between the Father and Son. It means that the Father and the Son share the same being.
I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son: This quotation from 2 Samuel 7:14 is another example of something that God the Father said to God the Son that He never said to any angel.
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”[e]
Then the writer moves to the kingly nature of Jesus, and the everlasting nature of His reign. The word Messiah also means the "Anointed One", or "King". This is from Psalm 45.
He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”
Another aspect of Jesus' divinity was His presence in Creation. Though we normally think of God the Father in relationship to the creation of the world, Jesus was there in the beginning too.
As John 1:1-3 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."
We also know when Jesus comes again he will bring a new heaven and new earth for the old will pass away.
13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”[g]? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
You can see how in chapter 1 the writer focuses on Jesus' superiority to angels. It shows the Jewish Christians were really hung up in their belief about angels. The angels not only reported to the Father and the Son, but it says they are sent to serve us too, as we are the ones inheriting angels.
- There was a dangerous tendency to worship angels developing in the early Church (Colossians 2:18, Galatians 1:8), and Hebrews shows that Jesus is high above any angel.
· There was the heretical idea that Jesus Himself was an angel, a concept that degrades His glory and majesty. - Guzik
The writer instead says the angels minister to those who inherit salvation, which would be us.
Sometimes people go over the top in their belief about angels, but we mustn't underestimate their power and role either. It is good to know angels are assisting me. I need all the help I can get!
The angels are commanded to serve God, but He shares His servants with redeemed men and women. This shows the great love of God for us, and how He wants to share all things with us.
What is your view of angels? Does it help to know they are sent to minister to you as a son or daughter of God?
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