JESUS, THE BRIGHTNESS OF GOD'S GLORY --Tomorrow:
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Devotion 13 of 14
Jesus is superior to all angels; both individual and collective. Take
that vast and "innumerable company of angels," and stand them next
to Jesus. They are inferior in every way to Him. His Person is
transcendent to theirs. Even in a low and humbled state, when He
entered as a Babe into the world, the cry reverberated throughout all of heaven, "Let all the angels of God worship Him!" (1:6). Here is the
declaration. It is grand conclusion to our introduction to Jesus. "So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited
is superior to theirs" (Heb 1:4).
Our text does not say the Son is superior to the angels BECAUSE
He has inherited a name superior to theirs. This is an affirmation of
comparison. His person is as superior to them as His name is to theirs!
We only know of the names of two angels, and both of them are favored
and mighty: Michael and Gabriel. But what are their names to compare with that of Jesus? They are "servants," and "ministers," He is the King of glory! They do the Lord's bidding; He determines the bidding! They stand around the throne, He sits in the throne! He is eternal, they are created.
At the name of Jesus, every knee will eventually bow. Every tongue will eventually confess that Jesus is Lord of all! There is no possibility that this will not occur! God has made the appointment, and none can make it null or void. If, in this world, we choose to bow the knee to Jesus and confess that He is the Son of God, our participation in the day of universal confession will be joyous. To behold Jesus as He is
NOW--in this world--and to embrace Him by faith, is salvation!
No angel has ever, or ever will, be afforded such honor. But this is
not an honor given to Him out of grace or mercy. It is one He deserves.
His Person is greater! He has a name that has been "inherited." It is the
reward for His grand and glorious work of redemption.
We have been exposed to the Lord Jesus in a few short words that challenge the mind, grip and heart, and dominate our affection. A grander Savior we could never have. We have the best in Jesus, in whom is no deficiency at all!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for a Savior who is the Head over all things, and at whose feet all powers and personalities bow.