Jesus Authority is Established Over All Creation
October 24, 2019
Commentary
The balance of this chapter continues with an ever-mounting argument for the superiority of Christ over the angels. The people addressed in this epistle were Hebrew Christians who had the greatest and deepest respect for the angels of God. When we look at this passage we can see some of the basic Jewish beliefs about angels. Many came to think of angels as intermediaries between God and man. They believed that God spoke to man through the angels, and that they carried the prayers of man into the presence of God.
With this in mind, the writer makes a striking contrast between angels and Christ. Of the Son of God it is
He is King in His Kingdom (v. 8).He is the sinless One (v. 9).He is the designer of the universe (v. 10).He is the eternal creator (v. 11).He is unchangeable (v. 12).He is the final conqueror (v. 13).He is the Lord of angels (v. 14).
Application
I am glad that the Lord is in charge of angels, and He has guardian angels to watch after me.
Hebrews 1:8– 14 (NET)
8 but of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions with the oil of rejoicing.”
10 And, “You founded the earth in the beginning, Lord, and the heavens are the works of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you continue. And they will all grow old like a garment,
12 and like a robe you will fold them up and like a garment they will be changed, but you are the same and your years will never run out.”
13 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”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Illustration: Pastor Who Skips Church to Go Golfing
Once there was a pastor who was such a golf addict that one Sunday he called in sick and went golfing instead. Two angels were above him on the golf course, discussing the situation. One angel said, “You just wait. I’m gonna punish him good for this.” The other angel just waited to see what would happen. The pastor stepped up to the first tee where he whacked the ball 300 yards straight down the middle of the fairway. Since he had never driven the ball more than 200 yards, he couldn’t believe it. And his luck continued. Long drives on every hole, perfect putting. By the ninth hole he was six under par and was playing near-perfect golf. The fellow was walking on air. He wound up with an amazing 61, about 30 strokes under his usual game. The one angel looked at the other and said, “Wait a minute. I thought you were going to punish him.” The other angel smiled and said, “That is punishment. Who will believe him? (Pat Cook www.cybersalt.com).