Heb. 1:4-14, Jesus’ Superiority to Angels (2)

Before we continue speaking of Jesus’ superiority to the angels let us consider the title “firstborn” in 1:6. This sounds like there must have been a time when the Son did not exist, before He was born.  But that is not the case.  “Firstborn” applies to Christ because He has the role of the firstborn in the Father’s plan.  The “firstborn” received the inheritance and became ruler in all the Father promised to Him.  Col. 1:15-18 applies this title twice to Christ.  He is the “firstborn over all creation” and “the firstborn from the dead.”  The Son rules over all that has been made (all things were made through Him, Heb. 1:2); and He rules over all who have eternal life, who have been raised from the dead (after and because He purged our sins, Heb. 1:3).  Therefore, “firstborn” speaks of His lordship!

Now let us continue to consider ways Christ was superior to the angels.

·       1:7-9: Christ has a superior character.  Quoting Ps. 104:4 the angels are servants of the Lord.  Quoting Ps. 45:6-7, the Son is God who rules forever, who is the Righteous One and the Messiah (Anointed One).  What does it mean that the angels were His companions? Jesus, in OT times even had “angelic” responsibilities as “The Angel of the LORD.”  This was one of the various ways God spoke to the Fathers.  The Angel of the LORD is nowhere to be found in the NT after Christ comes to earth in the Incarnation.  In Mal. 3:1 the Messiah is called by God, “My Messenger/Angel” being the “Messenger/Angel of the Covenant.”  Again, Christ is the Servant of God; He has “angel or messenger responsibilities.”  In this case He is the One who brings about the New Covenant by His perfect sacrifice.  That is something no mere “angel” could do.  Only the Son of God who became Man.  The distinction between the Son of God and angels could not be any clearer. Thus, the Son was exalted “more than Your companions.” 

·       1:10-12: Christ has a superior essence.  He is the creator of all things who, “in the beginning” laid the foundation of the earth.  In other words, He existed before time began.  Unlike what is created and infected by sin, He will never change or perish.  Christ’s deity is emphatic in this quote from Ps. 102:25-27. 

·       1:13-14: Christ has a superior exaltation.  Angels are magnificent, being sent by God to minister to those who will inherit salvation.  But Christ, having purged our sins that we might have salvation, is now the King in waiting.  He will return when the Father has made ready His inheritance. 

The point has been made from Heb. 1:4: He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  There is more to say on this in Heb. 2.  We must also consider the question from Heb. 1:4, as to how Jesus “became” superior to the angels.  But first, the Spirit pauses to warn us concerning what we must do with the information we already have.