Hebrews 1:13-14 - Homilies By W.j. Jones

The sovereignty of the Son and the service of the angels.

"But to which of the angels said he at any time," etc.? The writer is still treating of the preeminence of the Son over the angels; and he shows it in the facts that he is a Sovereign and they are servants.

I. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SON OF GOD . "But to which of the angels said he at any time, sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" This quotation the writer makes from Psalms 110:1-7 . This psalm is confessedly Messianic. It is frequently quoted in the New Testament as applying to our Lord. "And no psalm more clearly finds its ultimate reference and completion only in Christ." The quotation teaches that:

1. The Son is exalted to the mediatorial throne. "Sit thou on my right band." "He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." (See our notes on "The exaltation of his position" as stated in Psalms 110:3 )

2. He is exalted by the highest will. "But to which of the angels said he at any time," etc.? "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand," etc; "Him God exalted with his right band to be a Prince and a Savior."

3. He is exalted with the sublimest expectation. "Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet." Here are several points.

II. THE SERVICE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD . "Are they not all ministering spirits," etc.? Notice:

1. The nature of the angels. "Spirits." We do not enter upon the question whether angels are pure spirits or not. It seems to us that they are not without some form or vesture; that they are not "unclothed, but clothed upon." Their bodies are spiritual. "There is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." Angelic forms are not gross and material, but refined and ethereal. They do not impede their activities or clog their aspirations, but are the exquisite vesture of their bring and the suitable vehicle of their power. (On the qualities of these spirits, see introduction of our homily on Psalms 110:3 , Psalms 110:4 )

2. The office of the angels. "Ministering spirits."

"And the wearied heart grows strong,

As an angel strengthened him,

Fainting in the garden dim

'Neath the world's vast woe and wrong."

(Johann Rist)

They suggest caution and watchfulness to the unwary; by their serene invisible presence they solace the sufferer; and they serve about the dying bed of the saint, and convey the emancipated spirit to its heavenly rest. "Lazarus … was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom."

"Oh, th' exceeding grace

Of highest God that loves his creatures so,

And all his works with mercy doth embrace,

That blessed angels he sends to and fro.

To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe.

"How oft do they their silver bowers leave,

To come to succor us that succor want!

How oft do they with golden pinions cleave

The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant,

Against foul fiends to aid us militant!

They for us fight, and watch, and duly ward,

And their bright squadrons round about us plant;

And all for love, and nothing for reward.

Oh, why should heavenly God to men have such regard?"

(Spenser)

CONCLUSION . Learn:

1. The dignity of the Christian. Angels minister unto him. God cares for him; for he sends forth the angels to promote his interests.

2. The dignity of service. Angels, the highest orders of created beings, serve God by ministering unto little children, distressed Christians, and afflicted saints.

3. The supreme dignity of the Son of God. He "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many;" and now he "is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him," Well does Dr. J. H. Newman say, "When we survey Almighty God surrounded by his holy angels, his thousand thousands of ministering spirits, and ten thousand times ten thousand standing before him, the idea of his awful majesty rises before us more powerfully and impressively. We begin to see how little we are, how altogether mean and worthless in ourselves, and how high he is and fearful. The very lowest of his angels is indefinitely above us in this our present state; how high, then, must be the Lord of angels! The very seraphim hide their faces before his glory, while they praise him; how shamefaced, then, should sinners be when they come into his presence!"—W.J.