Above & Beyond

In the opening verses of Hebrews, we saw, as Raymond Brown puts it, “a vision of Christ with ... immense cosmic dimensions, a Christ who transcends all our noblest thoughts about him and all our best experience of him.”  We discovered that Christ is not optional.  He is everything.  He is the center.  We continue that theme as we read: Hebrews 1:3-14.

Christ is the center of Scripture and He is superior to all creation.

The author of Hebrews maintains that Christ is the center of Scripture and so he quotes from the OT seven times in nine verses to speak of Christ.  And there is good reason for this as Jesus Himself stated the same truth:

• John 5:39 - "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me..."
• Luke 24:27 - "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."
• Luke 24:44-45 - "He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.' Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."

And so, because Christ is the center of Scripture, the author of Hebrews uses the OT Scriptures to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and is superior to all creation - even angels.  

The author shows in 1:4-6 that Jesus' name is superior.  "Angel" means "messenger" and that's what angels are: created spiritual beings who act as God's ministering agents.  But Jesus is the Son.  He was not created.  He is, in fact, the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature.

Because of who He is, Jesus' honor is superior.  We read in v. 6, "let all God's angels worship him."  Only God is worthy of worship.  Angels are not to be worshiped (see Revelation 22:8-9) they themselves worship God the Father and the Lamb (see: Revelation 5.11-12).

And Jesus' nature is superior.  We find in 1:7-8 that though angels are made, the Son is begotten.  Angels are powerful forces (like wind and fire) but they are dependent.  Christ exists eternally and independently.  The Son is enthroned forever.  Creation will wear out, Christ will not.  Creation and created beings change, Christ does not.  His righteousness is the scepter of His Kingdom.

And Jesus' position is superior.  He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  his position shows that He is our Mediator and He is our Lord.  He is above and beyond.

Because of His superiority, Jesus is our only Mediator.  He is our help.  Angels minister as messengers for the Lord, and we must not take them lightly.  But our eyes are to be fixed on Christ.  He is our access to God.  he is our salvation and hope. he is God's final and definitive revelation.  He is the Center.