The writer of the inspired book in the Bible, called Hebrews, demonstrates in the first chapter that Jesus is superior to the angels. Jesus is superior because He is not a created being. Rather, God created the universe through Him. Jesus is superior because God has given Him the name ‘Son’ and given Him all authority. His reign will never end. Jesus is superior to the angels because He is an exact representation of God. In contrast, angels are servants.
What does this mean for us? What bearing does Jesus’ superiority to the angels have on our lives? Let’s read about it in chapter 2, verses 1 through 4. “Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation – which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?.”
Remember that this book was written to people who came from a Jewish background. They were being persecuted for their faith in Christ and were in danger of giving up their faith to revert to the Law of Moses.
In that context it’s interesting to note what it says in verse 1 – we have to be careful not to drift away. Sometimes it’s not the obvious threat which is the most dangerous. Yes, persecution can cause people to question their commitment to Christ. But an even greater danger is inattention. If we don’t actively pursue our relationship it will eventually turn cold. It’s like a marriage. If husbands and wives don’t actively work to improve and grow in their relationship, their feelings for each other and their commitment to each other will gradually die. They will drift apart.
It’s the same way in Christ. If we don’t nurture the relationship we have with Him, we will start to drift away. We must pay attention to it.
The writer spent most of chapter one demonstrating that Jesus is superior to angels. He did it to drive home a specific point. Here’s the logic of his argument:
The Law of Moses was given by or through the agency of angels. The Law was binding. Every infraction or deviation from the Law carried a penalty. Jesus is far greater than the angels. Therefore, we need to pay even more attention to the salvation which we have through Jesus than to the Law of Moses. If we don’t, we will not escape the penalty.
But how can we be sure that what we’ve been told about Christ is true? When Moses received the Law, there were all kinds of signs and miracles which left no doubt that it really was from God. What do we have that tells us that we weren’t being deceived when we were told about salvation in Christ? Verses 3 and 4 give us 4 proofs of the salvation we have.
The first proof we have is Jesus’ own words. For example, He said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36 NIV)
A second proof of our salvation is the testimony of those who heard Jesus. For example, John writes, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” (1 John 1:1 NIV)
A third proof is the miracles which Jesus performed in order to confirm His message. He said, “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may learn and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:37-38 NIV)
A fourth proof we have of salvation in Christ is the Holy Spirit. Paul writes, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV) We can know the truth of what we’ve believed about Christ because we experience the work of the Spirit in our lives. We are not the people we used to be. The fruit of the Spirit – such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is becoming visible in our lives.
We can know intellectually that Jesus is superior to angels. We can accept all the proof that salvation through Christ is true. Yet, even so, living for Christ is not always easy. Remember that the people to whom Hebrews was written were facing persecution. Even when we are not facing persecution we sometimes feel that the forces arranged against us are overwhelming. If it isn’t external pressure, our own habits and attitudes conspire against us to make it hard to live as God wants us to. There are times when we feel that it just isn’t possible.
But remember that if we belong to Christ, we are in a covenant relationship with God. He helps us to keep the covenant in at least two ways.
Chapter 1, verse 14 says that the angels are ministering spirits send to serve those who will inherit salvation. Is the enemy too strong for you? Is the task you’ve been given more than you can bear? Then ask God to send His angels to protect you and help you bear the load.
God also helps us overcome our internal struggles and weaknesses. Are you anxious? Do you lack peace? Do you have trouble controlling your temper? Then ask the Spirit to fill you. Pray for the Spirit’s fruit to displace whatever it is in your life that does not conform to the character of Christ. Yes, living for Christ can be hard. But God gives us the help we need to do it.