Jesus is Greater Than Angels

Angels have always been very popular. Angels are popular because they offer a non-demanding form of spiritual hope and comfort the circumvents having anything to do with God. But there is a phenomenon about angels that’s been around since the time of the early church, and it’s this: Jesus was an angel. The Jews were so caught up with their own fascination with angels, that there were many who promoted the idea that Jesus was not divine but was simply the greatest of the angels. Why does this matter? The evil one is fine with you believing that Jesus is something greater than a mere man, just as long as you don’t believe He is God. And if he can do that, if he can get you to put him on the same level as an angelic being – then he can dissuade you from trusting in Jesus for salvation. So let me just say right up front: As amazing and fascinating as angels are, the Bible is very clear on this: Jesus is no angel! In fact, Jesus is greater than the angels in so many ways. And the first way Jesus is greater than the angels is found at where we left off last week:

1. Jesus is Superior Because of His Name
After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in heaven. So, He became as much superior to the angels as the name He
has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:3-4 There are several times in Jesus’ life and ministry when a heavenly voice was heard proclaiming Him to be God’s Son. Gabriel: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). God Himself was audibly heard, proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). But then we have John’s testimony about Jesus being God’s eternal Son when he wrote: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

So, the Bible is very clear about the name Jesus inherited as God’s Son. However, there is one event in the life of Jesus that affirmed His identity as God’s Son once and for all. Listen to how Paul spelled out this truth: He was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 1:4 It was by His resurrection, that God declared Jesus as the worthy heir and true Son of God.

If you’re not quite sure of who Jesus is, or if you’ve been deceived into thinking that he’s somehow less than divine or simply on par with angels, then God declaring Him the Son of God at His resurrection, makes one thing perfectly clear: He is, indeed, the divine Son of God. For by His resurrection, He conquered sin and death. And what that means for anyone who puts their trust in Jesus is this: Jesus offers real hope, not just some feel good hope attached to some imaginary angel. And if you trust in Him, the good news is this: you will never have to fear death, for Jesus defeated sin and death when He rose from the grave.

2. Jesus is Superior Because He is Worshiped For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and He will be my Son”? And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” Hebrews 1:5-6 Here’s the second reason why Jesus is greater than the angels: The angels are commanded to worship him.
To prove this, the writer of Hebrews cites Deuteronomy 32:43, “When God brings the firstborn into the world, He says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” This refers to the coming of Jesus in his first advent, beginning with the virgin birth, when the multitude of angels praised God at Jesus birth by proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:14

Then, in the Book of Revelation, we have one of the most awe-inspiring image angels worshiping Jesus: “The voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, worshiped with a loud voice, saying, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’” Rev. 5:11-12

Additionally, the writer refers to Jesus as God’s “firstborn,” and it is for this reason He is worshiped. This term has proven to be problematic for many people who refuse to worship Jesus. They point to this verse and a similar verse in Colossians that says, “And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,” (Colossians 1:15) and they make an interpretation based upon the English word as proof that Jesus is a created being. However, they never take into consideration what the original Greek word actually teaches. This word comes from the Greek term “portotokos,” which has nothing to do with time. This is not a description of when Jesus was born, but it is a title given to Jesus, meaning “the chief one.” It means Jesus holds the preeminent place over all creation. By calling Jesus, “firstborn” was God’s way of saying Jesus is exalted over all creation, including the angels, who were created.

So then, if angels worshiped Jesus, there was no question who was greater. He is greater than the angels: He is God’s Son. He is exalted over all creation. And He is worthy to be praised as the Lamb of God who was slain to take away the sins of the world. Do you know this Jesus?

3. Jesus is Superior Because of His Reign This last reason that proves Jesus’ superiority over the angels has two parts. The first is recorded in verses 7- 9, where the writer makes a contrast between angels as God’s servants and Jesus as the Anointed King. The second is recorded in verses 10-14, where the writer makes a contrast between the angels as ministering spirits and Jesus as the Sovereign Lord. Let’s look at the first contrast: In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes His angels spirits, and His servants flames of fire.” But about the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Hebrews 1:7-9
The first thing we see here is that angels were created by God as spirits. “He makes His angels spirits, and His servants flames of fire.” They are not like us. They are spiritual beings. Angels are not subject to death. We have no record in Scripture indicating that they die or can be annihilated… Angels can move and act with incredible speed, are known to have an appearance like lightning, and are described here as flames of fire.

However, Scholar Richard Phillips reminds us, that we should be careful not to toy with angels. Everywhere they appear in the Scriptures they strike fear into men’s hearts. We saw this when Gabriel appeared before Daniel. He was frightened at his appearance. We see this in Luke 2 when an angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds to announce the birth of the Savior. They were terrified. In fact, they are so awe-inspiring that even the apostle John was tempted to worship an angel. But that Angel said to him, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” Revelation 19:10. So, angels are glorious beings, but they are servants of God, they are not divine.

In contrast, Jesus is described as God’s anointed King. He has an eternal throne and a scepter of justice, and God sets Him apart by anointing Him with the oil of joy. These words are from Psalm 45:6-7 and are meant to identify Jesus as the anointed Messiah. And the basis for His anointing is His perfect righteousness: “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” This is what sets Jesus above the angels. The angels are servants, but Jesus is sovereign.

And part of that reign he now shares with His blessed companions. Who are his companions? We are among his companions – those who have put our faith in Jesus and received the righteousness and joy of Christ when we believed. His joy and his righteousness are the blessings he gives to his royal subjects. This is what the prophet Isaiah foretold: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3 This is the first contrast the writer of Hebrews wants us to see. The angels are servants of God. They are to serve Jesus as God’s Anointed One.

Let’s look now at the final contrast, He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:10-14 In this final contrast, the writer of Hebrews quotes from Psalm 102:25-27, identifying Jesus as the agent of creation and the One who is given a seat at the right hand of God. The point is obvious: No angel has ever been invited to sit at God’s right hand. This is picture of Jesus as Lord. No angel will ever be given this kind of power or dominion.

Contrasted to Jesus exalted status, the next question reveals the angel’s humbled status: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Jesus is the Sovereign Lord who reigns over and is attentively concerned for the needs of His church. Angels are servants of Christ who are sent by our Sovereign Lord to minister to the needs of His church. That is why Jesus is so far greater than the angels. For they serve us on His behalf.

So yes, angels are pretty incredible beings, but when you look at them in comparison to Jesus – there is no comparison. For Jesus is the Son of God who is greater than the angels, for He defeated sin and death when He rose from the dead. And Jesus is the Preeminent One who has no equals among the angels, for He is the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the Word. And Jesus is the Anointed One who is superior to the angels, for He is the righteous one who has been anointed with the oil of joy, and who is now seated at the right hand of the Father forever.