St. Michael and All Angels (Transferred) September 26, 2013/Mackenzie Place, Affton, MO Text: Matthew 18:1-10 Let Your Holy Angel Be with Me Today, when we remember St. Michael and All Angels, we give thanks to God for creating angels to watch over us and protect us. The word angel means “messenger,” one who brings messages from God. Thus it is angels who visit Abraham and Sarah with the news that they would become parents. Just as Abraham is ready to plunge the knife into his son Isaac, an angel tells him to stand down. In the New Testament there are messengers, angels, such as the one who appears to Zechariah to tell him that his wife Elizabeth is going to have a son who is to be named John. The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary and also to Joseph to tell them that Mary will give birth to a Son, named Jesus, who will save His people from their sins. Angels announce to shepherds the birth of Jesus and sing His praises. Angels minister to Jesus after His temptation in the desert. Angels announce the resurrection of Jesus. Angels announce His Ascension. Angels will flank Jesus on the day of His return. So, having angels at each of these events in God’s salvation story is like a trumpet blast, a ta-da, calling our attention to God’s plan. Thus with Scripture reminding us, we pray “Let Your holy angel be with me.” To be sure, some falsely think that we become angels when we die. Instead, Holy Scripture tells us that angels are “spirit beings,” who may become visible when absolutely necessary, but never take on human flesh and blood like ours. Unlike some pictures of angels we have seen, angels are mighty warriors who serve our Lord and protect and defend His church. Quite different from TV angels are the angel warriors when war broke out in heaven, and “Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon.” “The dragon and his angels fought back but he was defeated…And the dragon was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Rev. 12:7-8). Because life in this world, seen and unseen, is not child’s play, therefore we pray, “Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me.” Angels indeed are God’s messengers and ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation, not just for the big occasions in God’s plans, but also for the occasions in your life. Angels are at work watching over God’s little children, as He says in our text: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 18:20). Jesus is teaching us that the promise made through the psalmist (91:11-12) is still carried out this day: “The Lord will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” In our weakness, the Lord dispatches angels and archangels who are with us, who worship with us, who are our comrades in arms. They are our protectors under the command of the Lord and under the watchful eye of St. Michael, “the great prince who has charge of your people,” and by the protection the Lord renders through his warriors, the Lord Himself promises that His people “shall be delivered, everyone whose name is found written in the book” (Dan 12:1). And if you are in doubt as to who are the little ones, remember how we so often pray: “Our Father.” Notice we do not pray to angels but to their and our Creator, our Father. Even John in Revelation (19:9-10) made the mistake of falling down at the feet of an angel in worship. The angel warned, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus.” No, God has created angels as His agents to do His will. And God has created us to be His children. As wonderful, powerful, and amazing as angels are, they are not the apple of God’s eye; you are. God does not honor angels by becoming an angel Himself; rather He honors you by becoming a man, taking on our flesh and bone in the birth of His Son Jesus. God did not give Himself up on a cross to save angels, but He did so to save you. Jesus says that every time one, lost sinner on earth repents, all the angels in heaven rejoice. Even a little one like you.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 21:46:58 +0000