When people encounter angels in the Bible, they tend to have one of two reactions. They are speechless or they fall to their faces in fear and sometimes worship. In every instance, the angel tells them to worship only God. In fact, it is when the angel does not rebuke them for bowing down that we are told therefore this must be the angel of the Lord, or God Himself. In Colossians 2:18 it says, “Do not let anyone disqualify you…[by the] worship of angels.” We are to worship God, not angels.
If you think back a few years ago there was a time where our Canadian society had an unhealthy fascination with angels. Stores sold little pewter angels; card shops had glass or carved angels with little gemstones on them, and they were hung from review mirrors, Christmas trees, and some were even tiny enough to be tucked into a wallet or pocket. It was a ‘personal guardian angel’ that looked out for you. Some were called ‘prosperity,’ others ‘joy’ or ‘happiness.’ Others were personalized with a name. What we were really doing was looking to the creation of angels to guard or watch over us rather than the Creator of the angels—God Himself. It was subtle, but noteworthy. Angels are created by God and there is certainly nothing wrong with having an angel on the top of your Christmas tree or on a mantle. After all, it was angels that announced the good news of the birth of Christ. But to look to the angel as a guardian over you puts the focus and power onto the created being, not the Creator.
Jesus is greater than the angels. During the incarnation, when Jesus came as a baby into our world, He willingly limited Himself. He needed food. He needed water. As a baby he had to learn to crawl, then walk and talk. He was God, but for a time and space in our world, allowed Himself to ‘be a little lower than angels.’ What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honour and put everything under his feet. (Hebrews 2:6,7) To not cause any confusion, Hebrews opens with this explanation of who Jesus is: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. 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) He may have limited himself for a purpose but that was only for a time and purpose and He is superior to the angels.
As we read Hebrews 1, 2 and the Psalms we learn the following:
- No angel was ever called ‘son.’ 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.’ But Jesus IS the son of God.
- No angel was ever exalted to the right hand of God. To which of the angels did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? But Jesus IS exalted to the right hand of God.
- No angel was ever given the supremacy and power that God gives Jesus.
- Angels worship Christ. They are worshippers, not the object of worship. Let all God’s angels worship him.
- Angels are to serve believers; but Jesus is to rule with God. He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire. But about the Son he says, Your throne, O GOD, will last forever and ever…therefore, God, your God, has set you above your companions…
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Heb 1:14)
- Angels are created beings. They have a beginning point. But Jesus is eternal. Psalm 102
When we look at the beatitudes and the teachings of Christ, it is good to be reminded that He is not just a moral teacher, good man, and great leader, but the very representation of God’s being; God’s Son, fully God and fully man, and certainly superior to the angels. And when we think about angels, it is good to be reminded that they are created beings who are to do the will of God. It is Jesus who is superior to the angels, and not the other way around.
Our song for today is Revelation Song – Kari Jobe.