At Grace Church, we’ve used 3 basic questions to engage us in a time of study. I’ve found the questions to be so very helpful personally and have enjoyed the challenge of answering: “What did God say?”, “What did God say to you?”, and “What will you say to others?” from week to week. Let’s start right there!
What did God say?
My Bible entitles this section (Chapter 1 & 2) Christ is greater than the angels. So we know immediately that Christ and angels are going to be highlighted in the reading.
Chapter 1: Christ is superior! In the past God spoke to His people through prophets, some of those times angels would appear to the prophets with the message. Other times the prophet would have a vision or dream. Still other times they would hear the voice of God. Now (just before the temple is torn down in 70 A.D.) God has not only spoken through His Son, the Son IS the MESSSAGE. The word became flesh, and the flesh dwelt among us. (John 1:14) This is the introduction to Chapter 1 and sets the tone.
The remainder of chapter one implores the reader to “Listen up!” and gives seven (the number of our perfect God) reasons why Christ is the voice with the message that is above (or more important than) the angels. You can read these proclamations for yourself, but these are the verses that are quoted in the list of seven.
- Psalm 2:7
- 2 Samuel 7:14
- Romans 15:10
- Psalm 104:4
- Psalm 45:6,7
- Psalm 102:25-27
- Psalm 110:1
Notice that all of these reasons why we should be listening to Christ are coming from the Old Testament. These are not new ideas or thoughts, they have been around and were known to the Jews already for at least a 1,000 years. These are simply reminders to them and to the reader today.
Verse 14 concludes by putting the angels in their proper place. Angels have the purpose of ministering to humans. Specifically, to those who will inherit salvation. This is the group of people that the writer is addressing 1970(ish) years ago, and it applies to us today. The truth is that angels even though we can be quite enamored with them, have the job of ministering to us. They are not to be worshipped, they are servants of The GOD we (man and angels) are to worship.
Chapter 2: Begins by clarifying the importance of Jesus’ message. In verses 1-2 it is stated that the message of the angels was binding and then goes on to say if the angels’ message was important, how much more important is the message of salvation that comes through Christ. Why?
Christ started as God, above the angels. He is the creator (Hebrews 1:10). He sits at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:13) In His infinite love and mercy Jesus. However, because Jesus agreed to the plan, God made Him like man “a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 1:9). So if you’re following me, Jesus started as equal to God and above the status of angels, then God demoted Him to lower than angels. When Jesus obediently completely His mission and suffered crucifixion and death on the cross God has elevated His status. Christ is placed above, with everything under him. Everything! (Hebrews 2:8-9) This is the slam dunk, mic drop, kind of moment that says, Jesus wins it all! There is no one or no thing more important.
What is God saying to me?
There are three main characters in these chapters that all speak something important to me.
#1 The Son. I am captured by Hebrews 1:3 The Son is radiating beams of God’s glory. He is light! He is love! He is holy! He is Perfect! He is… and is and is… and all He is— is radiating sustenance to all things by His word. Very deep with very profound language.
If you stop to think about the power of the word, the power of Christ, God almighty, under whose feet everything exists AND by whose radiance everything is sustained, then who is most worthy of my praise? Who is worthy to be worshiped? Who is trustworthy? Who then shall I serve? There just isn’t another answer but Jesus.
#2 The angels. The angel were created by and for God (Colossians 1:16) to serve. Hebrews 1:14 reminded me that ministering spirits are sent out to serve Christians. Not frankly something that I think about often, how about you? The truth of their existence and duties is given in verse 14 but without a lot of detail. Are they just called when you need them? When you ask for help? Are they with you all the time? There are multitudes of angels, so does that mean everyone has their own ministering spirit? Or do you have to share? So many questions and so few answers. Two pieces of excellent news in the midst of the wondering…. First they exist and they are doing all that God asks of them. Second we know that we will worship the Lord of all of eternity with them and will very likely learn all of the things we didn’t know about them, their roles, along with all of the other questions we have about God’s creation during the forever that is yet to come.
#3 The people. Here is something I’ve never thought about. We know that God loves humanity. He created them in His image and Jesus died to atone for their sin. Guess what, He didn’t do that for angels. In fact Lucifer was a very important angel that denied God and took many angels with Him to leave God’s presence and try to destroy His creation. Jesus didn’t rescue them. God watched them go and created a timeline in which they can all play and have their fun until Judgement Day. Isn’t that something? Hebrews 2:15 says that Jesus destroyed death and in doing so freed all of the lives who were held in slavery to the fear of death. That’s us! We are not only set free of the fear of death but, He has become our brother and adopted us into His family, permanently. That is an immeasurable gift!
What am I saying to you?
#1 Praise God for the Son. Not just in word, but in your actions and attitudes of every day life. Hit a deer with your new car? Praise Him! He has protected and provided generously. Yes, I did hit a deer with my new (relatively new) car. Come blessing and hardship Christ remains the radiance of God’s glory. And here is a tip: when you are looking at the radiance of God’s glory you are not living in sorrow or fear or frustration but in peace, joy, patience, goodness, gentleness, love, kindness, and self-control.
#2 Thank God for His many angels who are serving Him and maybe helping you too. And look forward to the day that you can meet them along with all of the saints who have obediently served God and sing with the angels. Wow, I just got chills writing that thought down.
#3 If you have put your faith and trust in Christ and are living for Him you are a sister or a brother of Christ! You are part of a very large family whom you will be serving with and worshiping with for all of eternity. If you have not done that, then I invite you to join this family, here is how. I would love to talk to you about this personally and help you, so contact me. I would just remind you to as a family member to love each other, pray for each other, and reach out to others so the family continues to grow.
You have so much to be thankful for today, I hope this message has helped you see even more reasons why.