Posted on 12/11/2020 6:10:45 AM PST by metmom
"Having become . . . much better than the angels" (Heb. 1:4).
Through a deft use of the Old Testament, the writer proves that Christ is the mediator of a greater covenant.
Man is a wonderful and amazing creation—higher than plants, animals, and any other material creation in this world. But there are created beings even higher than man—angels.
Hebrews 2:9 shows this to be the case because when Jesus became a man, He was "made for a little while lower than the angels." After the fall of the rebellious angels under Lucifer, the angels in heaven were no longer subject to sin. These angels are holy, powerful, and wise. They are special beings created by God before He created man.
The Jewish people understood the exalted position of angels because they knew that the Old Covenant was brought to men and maintained by angelic mediation. Galatians 3:19 says, "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made."
Because of this high regard for angels by his readers, the writer of Hebrews was faced with a problem. If he was to show that Christ was the mediator of a better covenant, he would have to prove that Christ is better than angels. To do so, he used seven Old Testament passages to verify his claim.
If he had tried to prove from Christian writings that Christ is a better mediator, his unbelieving Jewish readers would have said, "We don't accept these writings as being from God." So in effect he wisely replies, "Open up your own Scriptures and I'll prove my claim from them." It results in a powerful and irresistible argument.
For the next several days, we'll see in what ways Christ is superior to angels and how He could mediate a better covenant for us.
Suggestion for Prayer
Because much of our understanding of the New Testament is based on the writings of the Old Testament, thank God for how He has brought His complete Word to us intact throughout the centuries.
For Further Study
Read Galatians 3:8, Romans 9:15, and Matthew 4:4.
What Old Testament verses to those passages quote? What truth does each of them verify?
Studying God’s Word ping
I’ve come to the conclusion that our God is a cruel God.
YOUR God.
Not OUR God.
How do you mean, Fawn? Why do you think that?
Nah. We’re way better than angels. We were made in God’s image. Angels work for us. They also dick us over a lot because they know God likes us better.
I’m interested in hearing more on this topic.
This is an interesting topic. I’ve seen several books devoted to the subject of Angels, possibly because it is easier for some folks to worship angels than to worship Christ. Everyone likes a good angel story. But angels are merely God’s messengers.
Only the fallen angels have it in for us.
The good ones are good and do not take it out on us.
While we are made in God’s image and angels are not, they are capable of doing feats that we cannot do.
We’re stuck here on this planet, confined by time and space and our current bodies are more fragile than an angels.
So far I haven’t been able to figure out how to appear and disappear at will.
Right off the bat, what kind of father would do that to their son if they could save it? I do rescue ....and almost every single day I see the cruelty and suffering of both animals and people. If Jesus suffered and died for our sins, then why must every one suffer some kind of cruelty or suffering? Also, we are told we have to do things and blindly believe to get to heaven... like it’s a game or test.
God bless you for your honesty, Fawn. That’s the kind of honesty I’ve had to take before God for the last few years for many reasons.
To be saved we merely believe. That’s all, Fawn.
The world is an ugly place. Jesus indeed died for our sins, Fawn, but that is eternal salvation and not the saving in this world. I wish it were. Seems everybody has their load to bear, and yours is a heavy one. I hope you take care of yourself. We suffer because we live in a fallen world and we have a very strong enemy here.
The Gospel:
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Thanks for your reply. I keep listening for those trumpets to stop this madness.
You know; this has been a question asked over and over...
John 6:25-40
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[c]”
32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
I like your tagline
Dickhead angels. Pretty sure it’s the one named Urinal.
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