Christ was made less than angels; Angels: Day 187

Last updated on: January 24, 2017 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Christ was made less than angels; Angels: Day 187 2017-01-22T11:05:47-05:00 Pete Socks

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Arguing against heretics who denied that the Son was equal to the Father, St. Ambrose marvels at the pride of people who would judge God. Yet the most wonderful thing of all is not that the Son is equal to the Father, but that he made himself less than the angels for our sake.

They say he is inferior: I ask, who has measured it? Who has such an extravagantly proud heart, as to place the Father and the Son before his judgment seat to decide upon which is the greater? “My heart is not haughty, nor are my eyes raised unto vanity,” says David. King David feared to raise his heart in pride in human affairs, but we raise ours even in opposition to the divine secrets.

Who shall decide about the Son of God? Thrones, Dominions, Angels, Pow- ers? But Archangels give attendance and serve him, Cherubim and Seraphim minister to him and praise him. Who then decides about the Son of God, on reading that the Father himself knows the Son, but will not judge him? For no one knows the Son but the Father (Matt. 11:27). “Knows,” it says, not “judges.” It is one thing to know, another to judge. The Father has knowledge in himself. The Son has no power superior to himself. And again: No one knows the Father but the Son; and he himself knows the Father, as the Father knows him.

But you say that he said he was inferior. He said also he was a stone (Luke 20:17-18). You say more, and yet you impiously attack him. I say less and with reverence add to His honor. You say he is inferior, and confess him to be above the angels. I say he is less than the angels, yet do not take from his honor; for I do not refute his Godhead, but I do proclaim his pity.

–St. Ambrose, Exposition of the Christian Faith, 5.18

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When I recognize the glory of the angels, how much more I will appreciate the Lord’s incarnation. He is greater than the angels, yet he made himself less for my sake.

CLOSING PRAYER

Let the Cherubim who carried up the Son in glory praise him with me. He left his glory, and toiled and found the sheep that was lost. Thanks be to him!

Let the Seraphim praise him with me also. They who had proclaimed the Son holy watched as he was reviled by those who denied him. He bore their contempt and taught us to praise.

Glory be to Christ!

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