Grace for Your Day February 21

Angels may be some of the most fascinating creatures in the Bible. While we know so little about them, the Bible does say that they surround the throne of God, they make up God’s army, and they are often sent as messengers in order to help us in time of need. They are also given various names in Hebrew such as the seraphim, the cherubim, and the ofanim and we are told that there are multitudes of them.

Jewish tradition also says that there are 200 angles that control the movements of the stars and keep them on their courses. One angel is also tasked with overseeing the never-ending succession of days and years. Another angel watches over the sea. Another one watches over the seasons. Another one takes care of the weather. Another one watches over Hell and another one writes down every word that we speak. Hebrew custom also says that every nation has its own guardian angel. One group even said that “every blade of grass has its angel.”

While some of that is conjecture, it does demonstrate that angels are powerful creatures. In fact, they are so powerful that some thought that they are the bridge between God and man. However, the Author of Hebrews says that such is not the case because Jesus is the only one who has that distinction. He is the only true bridge between God and man as Hebrews 1:3-5 says:
When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels did He ever say,
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?

The Author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 2 here to show you why Jesus is greater than the angels and that is because God has called Him “My Son.” Such an honor was never given to the angels because they are creatures of God. They do not share His nature because that honor belongs to Jesus alone. As such, it places Jesus in a category all by Himself and it allows Him to do something that no one else could do. He could die for sins. As someone who contained man’s nature, He could die for men. As someone who contained God’s nature, He could please God in doing so which is a task that no angel could ever perform.

This is important for the message of the Book of Hebrews because earlier the author said that Jesus is superior to the Law of the Old Testament. Then he said that Jesus is superior to the prophets or those who live upon the earth. Now he says that Jesus is superior to anything that is found in Heaven which is what we are going to talk about this week at Grace Fellowship Church.

This Sunday, we are going to talk about how Jesus is greater than the angels. So far, Hebrews has showed us that Jesus is “the heir of all things” (verse 2) and “the radiance of God’s glory” (verse 3) and “the exact representation of His nature” (verse 3) but now he gives us His greatest title of all. Jesus is the Son of God. He is someone whom the angels themselves worship (verse 6). This means that the one who saved us is no ordinary creature even by Heaven’s standards. He is far more than that because He is none other than God Himself.

Please join as we study this profound topic. It is something that we will not be able to get to the bottom of but, Lord willing, we will scratch the surface. The service begins at 10:00! – Jeremy Cagle