“Being made so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they—for unto which of the angels said He at any time, ‘You are My Son; this day have I begotten You’? And again, ‘I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son’?. . . But to which of the angels said He at any time, ‘Sit on My Right Hand until I make your enemies your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Hebrews 1:4-5, 13-14
In Him we find both superiority and simplicity. . .dignity and humility. . .Divinity and humanity.
Angels.
The first mention of these created, celestial beings is in Gen. 16:7 where one came to Hagar’s aid as she wept “by a fountain of water on the way to Shur in the wilderness.” She’d been kicked out of the house by jealous Sarai after becoming pregnant by Abram (vv.1-5). But, the “angel of the Lord”—whom many believe was one of Jesus’ pre-Incarnate appearances in the Old Testament—reassured her that God would take care of her and her child (vv.7-14).
Repeatedly throughout the Old and New Testaments we find the Lord God using these Heavenly beings as His messengers of both good and bad news. Yet, today’s Manna reminded the readers (and us) that the Creator is always greater than His creation—even angels.
The writer repeatedly reminds his suffering brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ of the “Coming, Anointed One’s” superiority over angels by pointing them to Scripture. He cites passages from Ps. 2:7; II Sam. 7:14; Ps. 104:4; Dt. 33:27; Ps. 45:6-7; Is. 61:3; Ps. 102:25-26; Is. 51:6; Ps. 102:26; 110:1 as proof of this.
Thus, we should never be tempted to engage in “angelogy,” which is the worship of angels, or resort to praying to other, lesser “mediators” (the saints)—for there’s only “one Mediator between God and men: The Man, Christ Jesus” (I Tim. 2:5).
How easy/tempting it is to “lift our eyes unto the hills” (Ps. 121:1a), thinking that somehow our aid will come from there like the cavalry to the rescue. But, such can/will never be, dear Pilgrim—for such help is short-lived at best and can never meet our deepest, innermost needs.
Only Jesus, the “One Who made Heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:2; Heb. 1:2) can do that.
That’s why we should always engage in perpetual praise and thanksgiving because of Who He is and what great things He has done (Heb. 11:6). Truly, He is God’s last “Prophet, Priest and King” (Heb. 1:1-3) and there’s no need to settle for any other substitute or surrogate.
Instead, “look to Jesus”. . .and keep on looking (Heb. 12:2).
Just as the children of Israel only had to look at the bronze serpent on the pole in the wilderness to be cured of their snakebites (Num. 21:8), so do we only have to look to Jesus to live forever (Jn. 3:14-16; 12:32). Hallelujah!! So, do not be distracted or deceived by those who point to other “saviors”—for there’s only One. And, His Name is Jesus. Glory!!!
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated January 6, 2010
