Angels among us

One of the most difficult things for us is being aware of the spiritual realm. We serve an invisible God; an invisible Savior and we're indwelt by the invisible Spirit. 

We wage war against an unseen enemy and Jesus said that angels are constantly ascending and descending all around us. 

There are many myths about angels that have become part of culture. 

Angels are often portrayed as babies with wings sitting on clouds. This comes from Roman mythology. Or they may be shown as females with long hair and wings. None of these are biblical descriptions of angels. Others believe we become angels after death. We don’t “receive our wings” when we die (as depicted in the movies).

Angels are mighty spirits who played a very important role in the life of Jesus. 

The angel Gabriel predicted the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30-33 

Of course, we know that angels announced Jesus’ birth to shepherds. 

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11 

An angel warned Joseph in a dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, to escape the wrath of Herod. 

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:13-15 

God sent angels to strengthen Jesus during his earthly trials. After Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, angels ministered to Him. 

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Matthew 4:11 

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane agonizing over the cross, and the horrible idea of bearing the wrath of God for our sins, an angel came from heaven to strengthen him. 

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. Luke 22:39-43 

When Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, Peter cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. Jesus admonished Peter for using his sword and told him plainly that He could have called angels to deliver him, but He willingly went to the cross to save us. 

Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so? Matthew 26:53-54 

Angels even rolled the stone away from the tomb and announced Jesus’ resurrection. 

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matthew 28:1-8 

Not only did angels announce Jesus’ birth and resurrection, but they also predicted His second coming. When Jesus ascended to heaven, angels said He would personally, bodily, and visibly come back to earth. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:8-11 

And when Jesus returns in glory, the holy angels will accompany Him. 

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Matthew 25:31 

These are all familiar passages but it’s easy to overlook the ministry of the angels as you read the gospels. Hopefully, now you see what a huge role the angels played in the life and ministry of Jesus. God encourages you to be hospitable because you never know when you may encounter one of God's holy angels!

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:3