FIRST BEGOTTEN. Hebrews 1:6. The Lord Jesus Christ is the firstborn – not in existence, but in his inheritance over all creation. He holds priority and preeminence above every creature and nation. He has sovereignty because he created the entire earth. When He comes in His glory, all will recognize His royal birth. He is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Every angel will acknowledge Him – hanging on His every word. The adoration of the Son will not be limited to man; angels will also worship Him in their own way.
The Son is the heir and is one with the Father. He is not part of creation but is sovereign over all creation. The angels of God worship Him because Jesus is the Christ, God in a body. Those angelic beings, who are compared to the Lord Jesus Christ, are commanded by God to worship Him. In this way, they testify to His sovereignty and supremacy over every created being. The Son has been glorified, and the Father, who has the right to command those He created to obey Him, said, “Worship Him.”
At His entrance into the world as a baby in a manger, the angels glorified His name; to them, He was no stranger. Throughout His time on earth in human form, angels came to serve and strengthen Him. At His empty tomb that morning, when Christ rose from the dead, angels were there performing a service at the place where His body had been laid. As messengers, they joyfully declared that He was indeed risen. As worshipers watched, angels appeared when Jesus ascended to heaven.
The Messiah, in His humanity, is exalted far above all other creatures in heaven and on earth. In His holiness, perfection, and goodness, He is worthy of adoration because He is the essence and source of everything holy and good. Even though He is so high above us, He is near to those who call upon Him with a pure heart. He is above all powers and dominions, and yet His power and love have been made visible and accessible to us.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and our Savior who has forgiven our sins and brought us to God, is the all-wise, loving, omniscient, and omnipotent one who demonstrates the fullness of human tenderness and compassion. He helps, comforts, and upholds us when we are in sorrow, need comfort, or face trouble. The Author and Finisher of our faith, who is seated at God’s right hand, draws near to us when we draw near to Him.
The ongoing relationship between the Father and the Son is further emphasized by calling the Lord Jesus the “first begotten” (or firstborn) of the Father. “First begotten” refers to rank, not birth. He is the One who is above all others. None of the prophets and kings in the Old Testament called God “Father.” When the Lord Jesus was twelve years old, He mentioned His “Father’s business” and His Father’s house. In the Gospel of John, He called God His Father over one hundred times. God is His Father in a unique sense, different from how we address God as “Our Father which art in heaven.” After His resurrection, He said He was returning to “My Father and your Father,” not “Our Father.” No one knows the Father like the Son because He alone is equal with the Father. He is the eternal Son of the eternal Father. Their relationship is special and unchangeable.
Looking ahead, I see a role angels will play that will be very important. When Christ returns to earth to reign, everyone will tremble at His presence. The angels of God will worship Him as He rules on earth. He, along with all families on earth and in heaven, will glorify His name. As the firstborn, all of creation on earth and in heaven will honor Him as the highest authority. He has every right to receive worship from the highest angel to the lowest of men. Angels, kings, and nations will worship Him, and He will be glorified by every being in heaven and on earth.