THE ROLE OF ANGELS

But to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
(Hebrews 1:13-14, NRSV )

Devotion 6 of 11

JESUS DID NOT TAKE THE NATURE OF ANGELS

The Holy Spirit is explicit on this point. The stooping of "The Word" to be a messenger or servant of God is related to the salvation of men. In this matter He did NOT take upon Himself the "nature of angels," but rather became like the ones to whom and for whom He would minister. "For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Heb 2:16,17).

The reason "The Word" assumed another role was in order to save the ones whose likeness He chose to bear. Were He to have taken the form of angels postulates Him being their Redeemer--a thought strictly forbidden by the Word of the Lord.

When Jesus humbled Himself

A servile role is NOT the role of glorified Deity. Whether it be the deliverance of Lot from
Sodom, Israel from Egypt, or the world from sin. "Who is like unto the LORD our God, who
dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!" (Psa 113:5,6). The contemporary church suffers from an unbecoming view of the high and holy God. Perhaps that it is the reason why some of its constituents find it so easy to think of "the Word" that was "in the beginning," and "was God," being a heavenly messenger called "the angel of the Lord."

When Jesus was "made a little lower than the angels," He came from being OVER the angels, not from being one of them. The humility involved in this divine transition is described with power by the Holy Spirit. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:6-8). There is no teaching in all of God's Word that clearly states "the Word" was a "minister" prior to Him coming into the world as a man. Being "the angel of the Lord" requires a step down from "equality with God."

ANGELS ARE COMMITTED TO JESUS
Ascending and descending upon Christ

The "elect angels" (1 Tim 5:21) are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. They do His bidding at all times, and presently are directed exclusively by Him. Jesus spoke of this situation to Nathaniel, who was called while pondering under a fig tree. "And He saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51). This illusion is to Jacob, who saw a vision of angels ascending and descending upon a ladder reaching into heaven itself (Gen 28:12). Jesus was informing Nathanael of the access to God brought to men. Angels were now employed by Jesus to bring men to heaven. They were to be perceived as "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." No person would come to God except through Christ! The angels ascended and descended upon Him, and Him alone!

The birth of Jesus

It is as though the angels were waiting for the Messiah to enter into the world. As the
appointed ministers for the "heirs of salvation," this would mark the accomplishment of a basis
for salvation. Upon Christ's entrance into the world, angelic attention was focused upon Him.
"And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels
of God worship Him" (Heb 1:6). "The Word," stripped of the prerogatives of Deity, now entered
into the realm of the curse and the "land of the enemy." He came into the world bereft of any
advantage. That "babe" was not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent. From one point of
view, He was utterly helpless. From the higher point of view, He was in the custodianship of
angelic hosts.

A special angel announced the birth of Christ to the virgin elected to bear "that holy One" (Luke 1:16-38). The dialog between Gabriel and Mary was remarkable in length and precision. When the Savior was born, the angels announced the epochal event to shepherds, and a heavenly host broke out in song for the first time since creation (Luke 2:9-16). When confronted with the threat of death, an angel informed Joseph, directing him how to keep the Holy Child alive (Matt 2:13-18). After the perpetrator of the assault, Herod, had died, an angel informed Joseph, directing him to return to Israel (Matt 2:19-20).

The introduction of the Savior into the world, and His initial protection from Satanic initiatives, was attended by the ministry of angels! Truly, they are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."

-- PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You that Jesus is above the angels, and that they answer to Him, and to Him alone. I also praise Your name that they protected and ministered to Him during His time upon the earth. In the name of Jesus, I glory in the Head of the angels, and joyfully submit to their ministry.

-- TOMORROW: THE LAUNCHING OF JESUS' MINISTRY --