Luke 24:5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

I noticed many years ago that almost any time angels show up, people are scared witless. The only exception I can think of is when angels led Lot and family out of Sodom, in Genesis 19, but they might have done well to be a bit more scary, so that Lot’s wife would take them more seriously! Nowhere in the Bible do we see anything like the little Cupids that are popular imagery. That’s hardly surprising, because Cupid is from Greek and Roman mythology. On this occasion, the women were so scared they put their faces to the ground, which was a sign of total submission in those days. However, in the New Testament, and often in the Old, angels a bearers of good news from God. Revelation indicates that in the Last Days angels will again manifest some of their more fearsome characteristics and abilities, and that’s a far cry from Cupids! Here, their purpose is to deliver some astoundingly wonderful news: Jesus had risen. These women were among the few believers who stayed by Jesus through the whole crucifixion, so they had the most reason to believe He was positively dead. A spear through the heart will generally do the trick! It’s hard to even imagine their emotional and mental response to this news. They were doubtless so flustered that it’s not so surprising the apostles had trouble believing them. All that aside, the question the angels asked the women is valid even today. Many people do seek God through the writings of people long dead – and I’m not talking about the Biblical writers. The writings of philosophers can be interesting and helpful at times, but without the breath of the Holy Spirit behind them, they won’t lead you to life. Like the angels, we need to challenge people to seek the living God for who He is, and expect Him to answer. Only then will they find the eternal life for which they were created.

I’ve never seen an angel but my wife has, on multiple occasions. I suppose that on some level I envy her, but not really, because my focus isn’t on angels but on my Lord – and He meets with me daily through His Word. The writer of Hebrews was careful to stress that we aren’t to fixate on angels, but rather on the King of kings and Lord of lords. I think I have had some direct interactions with angels, like one time when a trick worthy of a professional stunt driver kept me out of a potentially fatal accident. I don’t think I was controlling that car! I’m deeply grateful, but like I said, I don’t fixate on such things – and I have had some traffic accidents since then. My point is to be obedient to my Lord, and trust Him to send angels if He thinks I need them. One thing I do know is that angels aren’t going to evangelize in my place. Even when an angel spoke to Cornelius, he told him to send for Peter, who had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with him and his household. (Acts 10) I am to be bold in asking people why they seek life among the dead, and proclaim life in Christ to them.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You’re doing in me as well as around me. Thank You that the sanctuary flooring went in so beautifully yesterday. I ask for wisdom, strength, and skill as I replace the baseboards and edging, so that this floor may indeed be inviting to people for many years to come. May the renewal of the building connect to a renewal of the people, the actual church, so that we may be active as Your agents in this area, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!