In presenting the news that breaks each and every day in our
24 hour news cycle, often experts will be brought in to give their statements
on what is happening so that the viewer, we are told, can make up their own
minds on the matter. These “contributors” or “experts” are, more than likely,
experienced in the various fields they are called upon to either endorse of
criticize. Therefore, their words mean more on the subject than just anybody
who may or may not be as informed.
However, I would submit to you, given what we introduced
last week, that the biggest story out there is Jesus Christ and His gospel as presented
in the New Testament. This is the theme that we will returning to week after
week in our Hebrews series as we reawaken to the glory of God through the
superiority of Jesus Christ and reacquaint ourselves with the greatest news of
all.
This week the preacher invites an expert in as a contributor
to give two sets of statements that confirm for us, the viewer, Jesus’
superiority in one particular area-His place above the heavenly host.
Ultimately, what we will learn from our contributor today is that Jesus is not
only the best of this world, but the best of heaven and all its divine inhabitants.
Our expert who will make this case today is none other than God Himself, Who
alone possesses the authority and knowledge to make this claim by means of
these following statements.
Statements Directed
to the Angels-1:5-7, 13-14
In order to demonstrate Jesus’ superiority over the angels
of heaven, the preacher calls upon God, who is the unnamed Speaker throughout
this passage, to give His insight. The preacher accomplishes this in Hebrews
1:5-14 by making much use of the Old Testament. In fact, the preacher uses 7
quotations from the Old Testament in these ten verses (5 from the book of
Psalms). He does this for two reasons: first, these passages highlight the very
thing the preacher is hoping to communicate, two, these passages demonstrate
that Jesus’ superiority is not a new idea, but something even the Jewish
forefathers hinted at, in some cases, unbeknownst to them. The first quotations
used come from Psalm 2:7 and 2 Sam 7:14 and they are found in Hebrews 1:5, “For
to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten
You’? and again, ‘I will be Father to Him and he shall be a Son to me’?...”
(1:5). The first reference (from Psalm 2:7-“You are My Son, today I have
begotten You”) comes from a context that deals with rebellion of the nations
and their rulers against God. Later on in the psalm, the passage promises that
this rebellion will be smashed by the power of God. By saying, “You are My Son,
today I have begotten You,” the preacher draws the entire psalm into focus,
allowing early Christians to apply its themes to Jesus as Messiah who promises
of victory over those earthly forces opposed to the church.
Though angels are called “sons of God” none are ever called
“my son” nor are they said to have been “begotten by God.” Therefore, this
exalts Jesus above the angels as God says to these divine beings, “You are not
My Son.”
The second quote used in this verse comes from 2 Samuel
7:14, “I will be a Father to Him and He will be a son to me” (1:5). In the
original context, the prophet Nathan is telling David that a great king will
rule over an eternal kingdom. By pulling from this story with this reference,
it is obvious that the preacher in Hebrews believes Jesus to be the fulfillment
of this prophecy.
Again, Jesus is shown to be superior in this verse, a second
time, in His unique relationship to the father. He is the only begotten of God
and He and God enjoy a close Father-Son relationship. God might say to His
angels, “you are my creation, messengers, agents, heralds, etc.” but He also
makes clear, “you are not my Son,” thereby demonstrating Jesus’ superiority.
However, at the very same time, Jesus is shown in these references to be a
conquering king ruling over an everlasting kingdom.
The next thing God says to His angels that reveals Jesus’
superiority is “Worship Him”, “…and when He again brings the first born into
the world, He says, ‘And let all the angels of God worship Him’…” (1:6). Here,
the Father-son relationship established in verse 5 is reiterated as now Jesus
is called the “first born.” This is significant as in first century culture,
the first born held a special place in the father’s heart, shared the father’s
authority in the estate, and inherited the property. In the same way, Jesus as
God’s son has an intimate relationship with the heavenly Father, shares
authority over the estate of the universe with the father, and, according to
Hebrews 1:2 is heir of all things. Though this verse might give the impression
that Jesus is first born only “in the world,” the word “world” deserves a more
robust translation as it’s semantic range refers not only to planet earth, but
to the heavenly realm. This is important for, at least for the time being, the
writer of Hebrews is trying to establish Jesus’ superiority to the angels, who,
dwell in heaven.
“Let all the angels
of God worship Him” is taken either from Psalm 97:7 (“Worship Him all you
gods”) or Deuteronomy 32:43 (“…and let the sons of God worship him”). In either
context the message is clear, as only God can be worshipped, Jesus must,
according to God, be God Himself, and therefore deserving of worship, even from
angelic beings.”
Worship establishes superiority without even trying. Those
who perform the worship are placed in subjection to the object or person
receiving the worship. Therefore, when God commands His angels to worship God,
He cement’s their inferiority beneath His Son.
Worshipping Jesus was only fitting for the angels because of
His rule over them as demonstrated in the next statement, “recognize His rule
over You”, “and of the angels He says, ‘Who makes His angels winds, and His
minister a flame of fire” (1:7). These words are taken from Psalm 104:4—a
context that highlights the service rendered by angels to God. They are God’s
swift messengers “winds” and ministers of His power “flame of fire.” Jesus is
not a mere minister or messenger as these are said to be. In fact, Jesus rules
over these servants as God, sending the wind of His angels wherever He desires
to displaying the power alluded to in this “flame” wherever needed. The idea is
reiterated in verse 14 when the preacher says, “are they not all ministering
spirits, sent out to render for the sake of those who will inherit
salvation?...”
As the angels are created-servant-worshippers (see 1:5-7),
they do not occupy the same seat Jesus does in heaven. In essence, God tells
the angels here, “You are not in His post”, “but to which of the angels has He
ever said, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for
Your feet’?...”(1:13). This is the seventh and final quotation given from the
psalms in this passage (the others are in the verses yet to be discussed).
Taken from Psalm 110, the royal themes cannot be missed. Historically, early
Christians believed this psalm to be a reference to the coming Messiah who, as
already mentioned in verse 3, is now sitting on the throne of God’s right hand,
ruling over all, including His enemies. The angels don’t sit in this
greatest-of-all places, only the God-Man occupies this space, rendering Him
superior.
Ultimately, God makes it very clear where the angels stand
in their relationship to Jesus by giving them the following statements: “You
are not my Son,” “Worship Him,” “Recognize His rule over you,” and “You are not
on His throne.” All of these statements humble the angels before the Son and
demonstrate that Jesus is not only the best in this world, He is simply the
best in all of heaven.
Statements Made
About Jesus-1:8-12
The next set of statements made in this passage pertain to
Jesus Himself and they are found in verses 8-12. The first of these is adapted from
Psalm 45:6, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter
is the scepter of His kingdom” (1:8). This psalm celebrates a royal wedding,
probably of King David, and refers to his throne as the throne of God (God’s in
the fact that God established David’s rule and promised a forever Ruler to
occupy it—Jesus). Applied figuratively to the seat that David occupied, this
idea is applied literally to Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings and Lord of
Lords to rule, with scepter in hand, the world for all eternity. As angels do
not occupy this throne or hold this scepter, Jesus is shown here to be
superior.
It is next said of Jesus, “You have loved righteousness and
hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of
gladness above your companions” (1:9) (see also Psalm 45:7). Though these words
were originally applied to a king after God’s own heart (David), these words
are even more appropriately applied to the King who possesses God’s heart—Jesus.
While David as king loved righteousness and hated lawlessness inconsistently, Jesus
loves righteousness and hates lawlessness consistently. Though David was anointed
above his brothers to be king of Israel, Jesus is anointed over all others as King
of the universe. Though David’s political rule eventually fell to other
nations, Jesus’ rule will never fall. David, to be sure, is a type of Christ,
but merely a type of the perfect king that Jesus is—He is the true anointed of
God, and for that reason, superior to the angelic host.
Earlier, the preacher introduced the theme of Jesus’ power
seen in the act of creation, “through whom He also made the world…” (1:2). This
theme is repeated in verse 10 in the third statement directed Jesus’ way, “and
You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens
are the works of Your hands…” (1:10). This reference to Psalm 102:25-27 contrasts
the eternity of God with the brevity of man, i.e. the power of God with the
weakness of the human being. Jesus is the founding Father of the universe and one
of only three living charter members of the world.
Jesus is not just one of the charter members of the world,
He is also a charter member of the heavens. Even more than a charter member, Jesus
was the creative agent behind all that is seen. While Jesus was God’s agent in
the creative act, the angels were mere worshipping spectators, rendering Jesus
superior to the heavenly hosts.
In contrast to Jesus’ forever presence as God the Son, the
world, it is said, “will perish” however, Jesus, will remain, “and they all will
become old like a garment, and like a mantle You will roll them up; like a
garment they will also be changed, But you are the same, and Your years will
not come to an end” (1:11-12; see also Psalm 102:27). In other words, Jesus is
said here to be “unchanging.” This is the final statement made of Jesus in
Hebrews 1:5-14.
Pervasive sin has assigned an expiration date to everything
in creation. Therefore we need a Savior untouched by sin (“whose years will not
come to an end”) to save us from spoil. Jesus is that unchanging Savior who
will one day roll up the worn out clothes for discarding. This is why we must
exchange what we are wearing for the robes of righteousness that He alone can
purchase for us, lest we be taken out with the garbage. The righteous robes Jesus
gives are never out of style, never need repair, and will never fray. They are
a good look for anyone.
So What?
And the greatest news you could hear today, given these
statements by our contributor God in Hebrews 1:5-14, is this: there is a robe
for you to wear. Jesus Christ, the greatest in all of heaven (as demonstrated
by these two sets of statements) offers you a robe of righteousness that will
never wear out! This robe serves two primary functions—it covers our sinfulness,
thereby protecting us from the much deserved wrath of God, and it dresses us
properly for God’s presence, allowing us entrance into heaven for all eternity.
Jesus alone is capable of purchasing this robe for you as the superior one of
all of heaven, as creator, and as king. There is nothing you or I could ever do
to earn it. Therefore, the call this morning is simply to ask yourself, what am
I wearing this morning? Are you merely dawning the best of what this world has
to offer? Even the best of this world falls short of the required dress code of
heaven.
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