Hebrews 1:5-14 NLT
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.[revealed you as My Son]”
God also said,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.”
6 And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
7 Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds,
his servants like flames of fire.”
8 But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
9
You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
10 He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
11
They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
12
You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”
13 And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”
14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
The writer of Hebrews wants to clarify for the Church the role of the Son, as well as the role of the angels. The Son is God; holy utterance, Creator, and Savior. Angels are God’s heavenly messengers who herald God’s plan, worship and bow before the Son, guard God’s people, and will one day execute God’s judgment on the world. Salvation is through the Son, but the angels play important roles in salvation, as well.
The angels announced Jesus the Christ’s birth and proclaimed his resurrection. They minister to us as God’s family all the time, because they see us “in Christ!” They take care of those who have chosen to inherit salvation; receive the indwelling Christ. Let that soak in. During this Advent season, as you think about Christ’s first coming, please remember he came because he loves justice and hates evil. When Christ returns the second time, please remember he is establishing justice and destroying evil forever.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing salvation and justice to my life. I look forward to the day evil is destroyed forever. As well, thank you for positioning your angels around your family in Christ to protect us and care for us. I place my trust in you each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.