So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 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”?
Hebrews 1:4,5
No one starts out at the top. Everyone starts out as a student, learning as they go along. Once we learn to walk, we move on to running. We learn to read simple things and then move up to harder and more complex words and topics.
It’s this way with sports. We start off with tee ball, then we move on too little league. We start with youth football before playing in school. We play basketball and soccer with other kids in the neighborhood before playing on a team.
Work is the same way. No one starts out as the President or CEO of a large company. You start out somewhere towards the bottom. After working hard and showing what you can do, you move up. And if you have talent and drive, you keep moving up.
But as with almost all examples, there’s an exception. And that’s Jesus. He’s the exception when it comes to moving up. Getting more power and responsibility. From eternity past he’s been at the top and is staying there. No one’s getting close to being equal with him.
To the Hebrews reading this letter, their history was full of angels coming and going. Angels defeating their enemies. Angels speaking to them. Angels leading them. Angels providing for them. Angels healing them.
And while this rich history was all true, something happened to change all this. God upset the apple cart of their expectations when Jesus came to earth. God no longer would send an angel to speak for him. No angel was going to act on his behalf. Not anymore.
God no longer goes through someone else. He now comes directly to people in and trough Jesus. God personally comes and shows himself through becoming a person just like you and me. He does all the coming. He does all the changing. He does all the adapting.
This is why Christmas is such a big deal. God came down for you and me. God left ther throne of heaven and walked on the planet he created. Breathed the air and drank the water he made.
When it says that Jesus was superior to the angles, it’s describing his strength is beyond theirs. It’s not just greater in raw power, but it’s also fuller and more fully developed. He can do things that angels just can’t imagine.
For example, compare Tiger Woods to Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson. Both of them are powerfully built men, able to lift great weights. But put them together on a golf course with a bag of clubs, and the difference is immediate. Yes, Dwane can hold a club like Tiger, but just watch what happens when they swing at the ball. Tiger is far and away the more skilled golfer. And so is Jesus more skilled with his power than angles.
When it says that Jesus name is superior to angels, its saying that his name is so different and greater than any angel. Just the name of Jesus has power. Just think about how the name of Jesus is superior to that of any angel.
Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus – Acts 2:38
Walk in the name of Jesus – Acts 3:6
Faith in the name of Jesus – Acts 3:16
Proclaimed the name of Jesus – Acts 8:12
Preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus – Acts 9:27
Every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus – Philippians 2:10
And if that wasn’t enough, God drops the ultimate spiritual bombshell when he says that Jesus is his one and only Son. Jesus is totally different and unique when compared to any person or any angel. He’s God’s Son and no one else is even close.
Just in case you’re wondering what other religious leader ever had these same things said about them. What other prophets spoke about the founder of their religion like this. The list isn’t short because the list doesn’t exist. No one. There’s not a single other person in the history of the world that made claims like Jesus did and then backed it up with their life.
Without a doubt, Jesus is the single most unique person in the history of the world. He’s worthy of all our worship and praise. He’s the one we were made for, filling that deep hole in our soul. There’s an old hymn that says it so much better than I ever could.
At the name of Jesus, ev'ry knee shall bow,
ev'ry tongue confess him, King of glory now;
'tis the Father's pleasure, we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning, was the mighty Word[1].
Today is the day to start worshiping this Jesus. What’s holding you back?
Noodling Questions.
How do you feel when people think they’re superior? Why?
Why is it important for Jesus to be superior?
How is Jesus worthy of worship? Give three examples.
[1] At the Name of Jesus, Caroline M. Noel (1870)
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