“But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13-14).
The writer of Hebrews provides a practical way to highlight the vast superiority of Jesus over the angels. He notices the posture of each as they presently exist in heaven.
Jesus is sitting. In fact, He was commanded by none other than His own Father to sit. His posture portrays the image of a warrior king who has returned from battle victoriously and is now beginning to enjoy the glory of His great conquest and exercise the increased power He has won. This is something Christ’s physical forefather—King David—did on several occasions during his monarchy. Now, David’s offspring and superior—the Messiah—sits at God’s right hand in fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) and predictive prophecy via David (Psalm 110:1-4).
The angels are serving. Their posture portrays the image of servants who are instantly responsive in obeying their master’s every beck and call. As is only appropriate for those serving in the presence of royalty, the angels never sit. Sitting is unthinkable.
Few things about the vast superiority of Jesus over the angels are as easily seen and understood as the simple sentence: In heaven, Jesus sits and the angels serve.
