Jesus is Superior to Angels

“While angels are immensely fascinating to us, and genuinely astonishing, we must remember that any status that may be ascribed to them has been granted by God,” observed Kyle Goodwin in lecture yesterday morning entitled, “A Son, Greater than Angels.

Both Kyle’s lecture and the following one “A Little Lower than the Angels, by Jeremy Bard, were the lead lessons Tuesday morning in this study of Hebrews at the Florida College Lectures (Hebrews 1:4-2:18).

Hollywood has tapped in to cultural curiosity about angels in shows like Touched by an Angel, Highway to Heaven, and Good Omens, among many others.

Additionally, various religious leaders through the years have claimed angelic revelation in propagating their doctrine. Some have claimed to have seen an angel and received special religious instruction or direction.

We’re not alone in our fascination as apparently the first century Christians required some teaching and admonition about the role, work and position of angels.

Neither this post nor Kyle or Jeremy’s lectures are a comprehensive study of angels. But they, and we, are basically making a simple, single point–Jesus is superior to angels.

Jesus is superior in…

…Name (1:4).
…Title (1:5).
…Status (1:6-7).
…Nature (1:8-9).
…Function (1:10-14).

Both Kyle and Jeremy were clear that Jesus is superior to the angels both in His Deity and in His humanity.

Angels are not God. Jesus is God. In John’s prologue He affirmed “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1). If there ever was a doubt about the identity of “the Word,” it is forever dispelled in verse 14.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

While angels through the ages served as God’s special messengers in unique situations, Jesus Christ was heaven’s greatest messenger. He was Immanuel. God with us. God in the flesh.

Jesus was born of a woman. Lived a human existence. He laughed and cried. He was hungry and thirsty. At times he was weary. Hurt. Disappointed. Tempted. Burdened. Exhausted. Suffered. And died as a man. You can’t say that about the angels.

Our takeaway and application from these two lessons can be summarized as follows.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we can draw close to God and enjoy an intimate and personal relationship with Him.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we come to know the true nature of God.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we receive remission of sins.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we can receive justification, sanctification, and salvation.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we have Divine access through prayer.

In it through Jesus, not angels, that we enjoy all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we can be called the children of God.

It is through Jesus, not angels, we can enjoy a special fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is through Jesus, not angels that we can overcome temptation and resist the Devil’s devices.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we can grow to spiritual maturity.

It is through Jesus, not angels, that we can face death without fear.

It is through Jesus, not angels that we have the hope of heaven.

Thus, regardless of what hype Hollywood may promote, or what doctrine some religious leader may espouse, or what some subjective experience some author may tout regarding an angelic revelation, I will not be led away from Jesus. His Word. His Will. And His way.

Paul’s words to the Galatians, are still relevant today.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal.1:8-9).

Instead we echo words of both Kyle and Jeremy from the Psalmist.
“O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth”
(Ps. 8:9).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman