Hebrews 1

Christ, Superior to the Angels

OVERVIEW

God revealed himself and his plans in many ways through long centuries of Old Testament history, but now he has provided the climactic chapter in the person of his Son. Angels have frequently been involved in God’s program, but none of them could claim to be a royal Son of the King or to have suffered and died as the Savior of humankind. Only Jesus could do that. Though made a little lower than the angels for a time, he provided the way to lift both Jews and Gentiles into the family of God through his sacrificial death.

Hebrews 1

MY DAILY WALK

Can you complete this comparison chart from the first two verses of the book of Hebrews?

God has spoken . . .

long ago

in these final days

to our ancestors

________

through the prophets

________

What God has said in the past is important, but what he is saying today through his Son is even more important. As you read today’s passage, look for statements describing who Christ is and what he has accomplished. You might want to share the results of your study with a friend who is seriously considering the claims of Christ. It might be just the evidence that person needs to find new life in the one before whom even angels bow.

IN THE CREATION, THE LORD MADE HUMANS LIKE HIMSELF; BUT IN THE REDEMPTION HE MADE HIMSELF LIKE HUMANS.

INSIGHT

“Let Me Express It This Way . . .” | Heb. 1:3

Verse 3 says that Jesus is a perfect picture of God. Do you want to know what the character of the invisible God is like? Just study the character of his Son, who came in the flesh.

INSIGHT

Angelic Hosts | Heb. 2:9

Angels are a prominent theme in the book of Hebrews (2:9), and Jews of the first century attached great importance to them. In fact, one rabbinic saying asserted that “every blade of grass has its angel.”

Hebrews 1

Jesus Christ Is God’s Son

1Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

The Son Is Greater Than the Angels

5For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:

“You are my Son.

Today I have become your Father.*”

God also said,

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son.”*

6And when he brought his supreme* Son into the world, God said,*

“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”*

7Regarding the angels, he says,

“He sends his angels like the winds,

his servants like flames of fire.”*

8But to the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.

You rule with a scepter of justice.

9You 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.”*

10He also says to the Son,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth

and made the heavens with your hands.

11They will perish, but you remain forever.

They will wear out like old clothing.

12You will fold them up like a cloak

and discard them like old clothing.

But you are always the same;

you will live forever.”*

13And 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.”*

14Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.