An Angel From Heaven Appeared

Luke 22:43  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

     I have a picture of a statue of an angel. The statue is at resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  I guess you could call it the artist’s rendering of what at angel would be like in the eyes of the artist.  From what I have read, it is an accurate rendering of an angel.  This angel is not what we frequently see angels depicted as - in the form of cherubs.  If you think back to what we are told in scripture, when angels show up people are afraid.  The angels are imposing figures.  The angel at the resort is dressed as a warrior would dress.  Sword drawn, breastplate armor, buckler, and a look of BRING IT ON!  A winged warrior would best describe this angel.  If this angel were to appear it would instill confidence in how well you are protected from any foe that may choose to step and to the fight.

    Luke 22:43 casts an interesting light on the events at Gethsemane.  Jesus has brought his three disciples to pray with Him.  The disciples are weak and fall asleep.  Jesus continues to pray, and His Father sends an angel to reassure him.  The angel, a messenger of comfort from His Father in Heaven, arrives just in time to give Jesus the strength to carry on.   He does not relent to fear nor does He give into temptation. Jesus continues on in his prayer.  The strength to continue on arrives at just the right time.  And just like Jesus, the ability and need to remain strong in the face of adversity is always there. Letting your guard down offers up to opportunity for doubt to creep in.  Doubt has many facets in the spiritual life of a Christian.  We can be led to doubt the truth of grace by faith and not by works. We can encounter those who would have you believe that there is not God and everything is a random series of events beyond any control.  We are told that God is not a god of love, rather a god of anger who requires the sacrifice of your life and the taking of innocent life in order for you to enter heaven.  We can even be told God is too busy to listen to your prayers.  All of the little facets of doubt add up to one big lie.  What we know as followers of Jesus Christ is were are saved by grace through faith, God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one on earth, He is a God of love who does not demand you to sacrificing your life or the life of innocents to join Him in heaven.  What transpired in the Garden of Gethsemane is proof positive that we have a loving, caring, and listening Father in Heaven.  The angel appeared to Jesus in His time of need to give Him the strength to go on.  And each of us has the same ability to pray for the strength to endure to most difficult trials in our lives.  We have that gift of prayer for intercession because God loves each and every person.  John 3:16 reminds us of the simple truth of how deep the love of the Father is for all his mankind. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  God loves us, he gives us the strength to endure any hardship and the courage to continue on in the face of adversity.  No trial is too great that the Lord can not lift you up.  His love endures forever, as should your faith in Him. Be strong and pray often are words to remember and take to heart.

    Prayer:  Father, we often tremble in fear at what we encounter in our lives.  We forget too easily that we are never alone.  Even in the midst of tragedy, trial and hardship You are always there. Help us to remember the angel sent from heaven when Jesus was about to begin his journey to the cross. Let the hope Christ was filled with fill each of us as we go about our lives, Amen.