Six Reasons Jesus Is Superior to the Angels and to Anything Else

If there is a main point of the biblical Book we call Hebrews it is that Jesus is the complete fulfillment of salvation and that His new covenant is superior to the way of the old covenant, which was by the Mosaic Law. In chapter one we find the author stating His superiority over the angels.

Why did the author feel the need to compare Christ to the angels? The answer to that lies in the intended recipients of this letter which was the Jewish Christians of the day who were under heavy temptation to return to where they came; the sacrificial system of the law. At the time of the writing of this letter the temple still stood and the sacrifices were still being performed. One can only imagine the pressure a converted Jew faced from those around him who had not bought into the new covenant Jesus brought to the earth. When Moses gave the law at Mount Sinai he was assisted by thousands of angels as spoken of in Deuteronomy 33:2. Angels were important to the Jews. The author wanted to show the superiority of Christ to the angels, so Hebrews opens with six affirmations of Jesus Christ.

First of all Jesus is THE Son of God. The angels can make no such claim. Jesus is much superior to them.

Hebrews 1:2-5
 But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?

Next we see the one who is to be worshipped is Jesus, the Son and the angels must worship Him.

Hebrews 1:6
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Special note here for the cults who reject the deity of Christ and His eternal nature. The word here for firstborn isn’t how our language sees it. The word doesn’t mean the first person ever born, suggesting Jesus wasn’t eternal, it is a term used to give prominence. It is a title that derives out of the culture of that day in which the first son would have the rights to the inheritance and to the blessing. It is used to signify honor and rank. Psalm 89:27 tells us Solomon was given this title, yet he was not the first child born to his parents, he was actually the tenth according to the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 3:1-5. (See why the genealogies of the Bible are not to be ignored?) Jesus is the “first born” of this world because He is the one who has the title of being the most blessed man to ever walk the earth.

Next we see that the angels serve Christ. Maybe the best-known example is when Jesus was in the wilderness in Matthew 4:11. Angels are servants of Christ and do His bidding.

Hebrews 1:7
Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

Then we see whom it is who is enthroned and anointed. Not angels but Christ. And the rule of Christ is forever.

Hebrews 1:8-9
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

Next we see who is the creator. It is Jesus and this verse shoots down any idea that He was not eternal. His years have no end.

Hebrews 1:10-12
And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

Finally we have a summation that simply declares the order of angels and their position below Christ.

Hebrews 1:13-14
And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Are angels real? Yep. Do they have an important position in God’s Kingdom? Sure they do. But Jesus is far more important.

Though this was written in its original context to the Jews of that day we still need this reminder today. The New Age movement loves to exalt angels. And they love to discredit Jesus making Him just a wise philosopher.

Not so! Jesus is the only man we should ever exalt and the only man deserving of our worship. Let us never forget the lessons of Hebrews chapter one. Like the Jews the world wants to draw us away from the solid foundation of Christ and have us build on sand. Don’t listen to the world. Read God’s Word. It is the truth.