Hebrews 1:10-14: Better
Isaiah 3-5, Proverbs 19:1-14, Luke 20:41-47, Hebrews 1:10-14
Christ’s superiority is further described here as the author of Hebrews begins to lay out his case that Jesus is better than anything and anyone else.
He first describes Christ’s superiority to creation in his role in creation, ruling and bringing to an end all of creation. He laid the foundations of the earth. Even after they perish he remains. At the end of creation, he rolls all of creation up like a robe. So much superior is Christ to all of nature.
Think then how much more valuable is Christ than the most brilliant sunset, the most gorgeous beach, the most valuable precious metal or jewel: he is so much above and beyond even such natural treasures as the beautiful lion in all his majesty, or the dolphin, or the massive whale. All is made by him, is ruled by him, and he outlasts and outlives all. How foolish then it is to turn to worship nature, rather than nature’s God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Second, the author of Hebrews turns again to one of his predominant themes which is the superiority of Christ to the angels. For many of us today, it is hard to understand why the Book of Hebrews spends so much talking about Christ being better than angels. It is not a pressing concern for many of us that the angels might perhaps in someway be superior. But in Judaistic understanding, the angels played a major role in the giving of the law, and therefore, in the author of Hebrews’ concern to show that Christ is above and better and superior to all, it is essential that he continues to establish his superiority to angels.
Look at it like this: any other spiritual experience or impressive spiritual being is as nothing besides Christ. He is not merely an elevated angel. He is the Lord God. And therefore he is so much better than any other religion or ideology, and is therefore so much more worthy of our attention, our worship, and our continued pursuit of him who is better, higher, superior, greater than all other created beings physical and spiritual.
And the result then of this reflection on these verses is to cause us once again – or the first time – to bow in adoration before Jesus and commit our lives to follow him.