Better than Angels

Angels are cool. The Bible records some pretty incredible assignments given by God to angels.

I love the account where Daniel is thrown mercilessly into the den of hungry and ferocious lions, only to be saved unscathed. The king rushed to the den after an anguished, sleepless night calling out, “Daniel, was your God able to deliver you?” And Daniel said, “My God sent His angel and shut the lion’s mouths, so that they have not hurt me.” That would have been a pretty cool assignment.

What about the angel Gabriel, who was called upon to let young Mary in on a special little secret? “Mary, uh, you’re not going to believe this, but I’ve got some news for you that will change the world!” I imagine Gabe could hardly contain his excitement.

Think about the angel who was chosen to appear before the shepherds near Bethlehem, framed in the glory of the Lord as the news of the Savior’s birth was joyously proclaimed. Then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God as they sang of His glory and peace to men. Talk about a cool assignment!

Angels are cool. They’re popular. They’re safe to talk about. Have you watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” lately? I mean, who’s going to tremble in fear at the sight of the angel Joseph? Have you sent out Christmas cards with pictures of pretty little angels? Decorated your home with angel figurines? They’re non-threatening. Non-offensive. They’re cute. Probably cuddly, too. Ever heard of Angel Soft toilet paper?

Angels are cool, all right, even if you don’t have a biblical clue as to who or what they are or what they do. But we have to be certain that we don’t elevate the status of angels above or on par with that of the One who created them. As mighty and holy and glorious and helpful and cool as angels are, they absolutely pale in comparison to the power and glory and blessing and honor and splendor and majesty of Christ Jesus!

The centerpiece throughout the Bible and the centerpiece throughout creation and history and eternity is, and always has been, and always will be Christ Jesus – God, who became flesh and dwelt among us! Angels are just the messengers; Jesus is the Message! Let us not get caught up in or distracted by angelic warm fuzzy feelings, or by anything else that would divert our eyes and hearts and minds and souls and wills from the One who is to be forever praised!

No angel is ever given the title of “Son.” But Jesus is He who was “promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures…born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:2-4).

No angel is worthy of your worship. But Jesus is He before whom the angels bow as God declares, “Let all the angels of God worship Him” (Heb. 1:6).

No angel will reign for ever and ever on the throne of his own kingdom. But Jesus is He whom the prophet Isaiah foretold: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever” (Isa. 9:7).

No angel has ever set a single star in the sky or set the ocean’s boundaries. But Jesus is He of whom the Scripture says, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or power. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16).

No angel will ever sit at the place of the Most High in eternal glory. But Jesus is He “who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him” (1 Pet. 3:22).

And no angel can possibly save you from your sins and bring you to God. But Jesus is He “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24).

Angels are cool, but Jesus is far superior. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King!