Hebrews 1:4-14 - Will the Real Jesus Please Remain Seated?!?

Who is this Jesus? We saw in the last post that He is the Revealer, the Heir, the Creator, the Radiance of the Glory of God, the very Image of God, the Sustainer of the universe, Purifier of God’s people, and He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High. This is Jesus.

Hebrews 1:4-14 -

having become as much superior to 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, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Who is Jesus? He is someone who is so much better than even mighty angels. Let’s just work our way through the text and see in what way He is so much better.

v. 4 – He has a more excellent name – i.e. “Son” – this denotes a more intimate family relationship

v. 5 – terms “Son” and “Father” are used repeatedly. This is quoted from Psalm 2 & 2 Samuel 7 - Jesus is the only one that could fulfill the promise to David that God would make a Son for Himself from the offspring of David. Solomon failed to keep the Law and so his kingdom did not last, but Jesus kept God’s law perfectly. He is the perfect Son for the perfect Father.

v. 6 – Jesus is said to be the “Firstborn” – this is the preeminent position in a family – receiving a double portion of the inheritance.

Also in v. 6 we see that these mighty angels - (who were even called “gods” in the OT – Job 1:6; Deut 32:43) - these mighty beings are called to worship Jesus the Son, because He is God. He is infinitely more excellent than they.

v. 7 – Angels are amazing – they beings mightily used by God.

vv. 8-9 – BUT not compared to the eternal, reigning, righteous, joyful King Jesus.

v. 10-12 – This is the Jesus that made everything and although this temporal creation will all wear out, He lives reigning forever and ever.

v. 13 – This is the Jesus who alone has the position of power and privilege at God’s right hand

v. 14 – The angels have a place – it is to serve believers – the ones inheriting salvation from God – yet how can you compare any angel or man to this Jesus the Son of God?!?!

This is who God in His word declare Jesus to be. And everyone believes this right? Let me just give you a quick comparison to a few other religious views of Jesus.

Islam – Muslim views of Jesus:
1. Jesus was created and not eternal
2. Jesus was merely a created human
3. Jesus is not the Lamb of God who was slain
4. Jesus is not the way of salvation for mankind – the five pillars of Islam are the way
5. Jesus was never crucified and therefore was not resurrected
6. Jesus cannot be worshipped
7. Jesus is simply another prophet of God
8. Jesus will die forty years after his return
9. Jesus is never said to love the world

Mormon views of Jesus:
1. Jesus is the literal son of god and his goddess wife – he was born through physical sexual relations with Mary.
2. Jesus is the brother of all spirits born in heaven – he is even the spirit brother of Lucifer
3. Jesus was married and had wives
4. Jesus is only a God – God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate gods.
5. Jesus is not to be worshipped and is not called God – (prayer is never addressed to Jesus Christ – prayers are made in his name but are addressed to the “Heavenly Father” – and do not go through Jesus)

Jehovah’s Witness views of Jesus:
1. Jesus is the first creation – the only begotten Son of God – there is only one God in one person
2. Jesus was Michael the archangel who became a man
3. Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in the flesh
4. Jesus did not rise from the dead in a physical body – but only a spirit
5. Jesus was born again
6. Jesus did not die on a cross but on a stake
7. Jesus alone cannot save us but we need faith and good works
8. Jesus was not entrusted with the duty to oversee the creation of the earth, Satan was.

Are these views compatible with the biblical view of Jesus? No. Jesus is not these things and He is not merely your “buddy” and “pal” who helps you through tough times. He’s not your “homey” or your “home-boy”.

No – He is God of very God – and He is worthy of your adoration, trust, and submission. He is what your life is to be all about. And He is worthy of that.