Hebrews 1:5-14
Angels are the original postmen. Both the Hebrew and the Greek words for angel are also the words for messenger. When scripture writes, “an angel appeared” depending upon the context it could be translated “a messenger appeared”. Almost immediately, after Christ descended into heaven there were people claiming he was just a messenger. They denied his deity, they claimed his message was from God but he was not God, he was no better than an angel was. The writer of Hebrews establishes at the beginning that Christ is the son of God, and he is greater than the angels are.

Christ is greater than the angels are because he created them. Christ created the angels as spirits, and the angels worship Christ as God. God used angels to deliver messages to humanity. Before Mary conceived of the Holy Spirit angels told her what she could expect. When the Son of God took on human nature, angels announced his birth.

Christ is greater than the angels are because he is eternal, and he sets upon an eternal throne. He rules with a scepter of justice/righteousness. Angels are servants of the king and his kingdom. They are ministering spirits sent by God to serve those who have inherited salvation. It is foolish to think more highly of the messengers than of the king who sent the message.

Some of the most difficult tasks we face in life involve balancing. When things get out of balance, they crash. This is true of bicycles, stacks of dishes, emotions and spiritual truths. Here are some truths that Christians need to keep in balance. Angels exist, but they exist because God created them. Angels act as our guardians, but they do so at the command of our creator. Angels delivered messages, but it is God’s message. God still uses angels, but he does not use angels to do the jobs he has given us. He has given us the task of spreading the gospel. For the world to know Jesus we must be his “messengers”; we must do the work of “angels”.