Messianic Enthronement – Jesus is Superior to the Angels (Heb. 1:1-14)

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2 in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, 3 who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? 6 And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says: “He makes his angels winds and his ministers a fiery flame”; 8 but of the Son: “Your throne, O God, stands forever and ever; and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You loved justice and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions”; 10 and: “At the beginning, O Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; and they will all grow old like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a cloak, and like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” 13 But to which of the angels has he ever said: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?'

God’s self-revelation to Old Testament Israel was given in fragments through the prophets.  With the coming of His Son the Kingdom of God is unfolding and God’s saving power will be revealed to the world in his Son who is the radiance of His goodness and glory, not a servant like the prophets.  The Son, through whom the universe was created and the heir of all creation, is a perfect reflection of the very being of God.  He is the Word of God who communicated God’s message clearly to the world and who achieved eternal redemption for mankind by his blood (Heb. 9:12).  The eternal Son guides and sustains all that he created in the universe.  When the fully divine and fully human Son had completed his redemptive work, he entered into the glory he had with the Father before his incarnation (Phil. 2:6-11).  We too as children of God hope in this glory (Rom. 8:16-17).

Paul explained Christ's unique status as the Son of God and the fulfillment of messianic prophecy.  Jesus was inferior to the angels in his human nature, but far superior to the angels in his divine nature because he inherited the name the “Son of God (Jn. 1:49; Mk. 1:1).”  The angels are neither sons of God nor brothers of mankind.  They are servants fulfilling God’s purposes and are to worship Christ.  Paul, who was a student of the Law (Acts 22:3) used OT texts to explain the superiority of the glorified Christ over all created and heavenly beings in this world and the world to come.  

Paul first compared Christ with the angels and asked his audience if they could find anywhere in the Scriptures where God ever designated an angel as his son begotten by Him.  Those listening would have been familiar with the two OT quotes Paul used in verse 5 (Ps. 2:7 and 2 Sam. 7:14).  “When he leads the first-born into the world” is a reference to the risen Christ entering into heavenly glory and all divine beings bowing before him (Deut. 32:43; Ps. 97.7).  Paul showed the superiority of the risen Christ over the angels with quotes from the Psalms in verses 7 to 12; (Ps. 104:4; Ps. 45:7-8).  These quotes attest to the divinity of the risen Christ who loves justice and detests iniquity.  He was active at creation, unchanging, and his years will have no end (Ps. 102:26-28; vv. 10-12).  He sits on his everlasting throne at the right hand of God (Ps. 110:1; v. 13).  The Father “has given all judgment to his Son (Jn. 5:22), so at the last judgment, the risen Christ will roll up the heavens and the earth like a cloak (vv. 11-12).  The Son is both the creator and judge of the universe.  The angels are messengers and ministering spirits (Ps. 104:4) sent to serve those who will inherit the kingdom of God.

Almighty God, you revealed yourself to us through your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate expression of your glory and the perfect representation of your being. Help us to recognize and worship Him as the supreme authority over all creation.  This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.