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Luke 22: 39-44| King James Audio Bible | KJV | King James Version
‘And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ (Luke 22: 39-44)
Angels In The Old Testament | Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ
In the Old Testament, angels are described as celestial beings who act as messengers and servants of God. They appear in various forms, conveying vital messages and instructions to key figures such as Abraham, Moses, the prophets. For instance, the angel who appeared to Hagar in the wilderness provided comfort and guidance (Genesis 16:7-14, KJV):
‘And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.’
Angels played a crucial role in the deliverance of God’s people, protecting them from harm, as seen during the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:19, KJV):
‘And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face and stood behind them.’
Furthermore, angels are associated with God’s divine judgment, as exemplified in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-26, KJV). The belief in angels continued to grow throughout the Old Testament period, shaping the Jewish understanding of God’s intervention in the world and His divine order.
Angels In The Gospels | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
The presence of angels in the Gospels expressed incarnation of the divine in the person of Jesus Christ. Angels heralded Jesus’ coming, rejoicing in the birth of the Saviour. In the Gospel of Luke, an angel announced to the shepherds, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10-11, KJV).
Angels ministered to Jesus during significant moments of his earthly journey. After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, angels came and attended to Him (Matthew 4:11, KJV):
‘Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.’
When Jesus faced immense anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, an angel appeared to strengthen Jesus (Luke 22:43, KJV):
‘And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.’
The presence of the angels underscores profound connection between divine and human, as Jesus, God-Man, experiences the same care and interaction with angels that had been observed throughout the Old Testament.
There is an ongoing dialogue of love within the Trinity of God as through Creation.
Ascension Of Jesus | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
As Jesus ascended to heaven, two angels appeared to the disciples, comforting them and affirming Jesus’ return (Acts 1:10-11, KJV):
‘And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’
It is again a moment of again continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament, as the angels play a pivotal role in witnessing and announcing significant supernatural events.
Powerful Prayer To Jesus With The Angels | Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ
Dear Jesus,
I lift my heart to you, knowing that you are both fully divine and fully human, understanding the struggles and joys of our human existence. I thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, offering us the gift of eternal life and reconciliation with our Heavenly Father.
In the company of the angels, I seek your presence, knowing that they too worship and adore you. Just as they proclaimed your birth with joy to the shepherds, may they also lift up my prayers and praises before the throne of God.
Jesus, I ask for your guidance in my life’s journey. Send your angels to surround me and protect me from all harm and evil. Grant me discernment to know your will and the courage to follow it.
Help me to see the beauty of your creation with new eyes, recognizing the angels’ whispers in the rustling leaves and the gentle breeze. Let me be mindful of the angels’ presence, guiding me towards acts of kindness, love, and compassion.
May the angels sing heavenly melodies of praise in your honour, and may I join in that chorus, lifting my voice in worship and thanksgiving. As the angels ministered to you during moments of trial and temptation, I pray for their comfort and strength in times of my own struggles.
Jesus, may the angels be messengers of hope, carrying my prayers to the throne of grace. I pray for healing for the sick, comfort for the grieving, and peace for the troubled hearts.
In moments of doubt, may the angels remind me of your love and the promise of your return. Let them be a constant reminder of heaven, which awaits those who trust in you.
In all things, I surrender my life to your divine will, knowing that your angels are always at your command. Teach me to trust in your providence, and may your angels guard me day and night.
I pray all this in your precious and holy name, Lord Jesus, with the angels as my witnesses, and I place my trust in your infinite grace and mercy.
Amen.
This is an amazing encounter! The disciples have returned to Galilee, where their story with Jesus began. It was natural for them to return home, while awaiting further instruction from Jesus. It is natural also for the disciples to wish to engage in their old and familiar work. It seems a typically spontaneous gesture of Simon Peter when he declares: ‘I am going fishing!’ Things have changed, though. Through their time with Jesus, the lives of the disciples have changed [ … ]
It is the Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord has presented the crowd with the Beatitudes. We have been taught to know the gateway to heaven. These are the great Christian truths to which we aspire [ … ]
The poem meditates on a relationship with God, this explored through themes of transcendence, vulnerability, and search for spiritual guidance. Herbert begins with an expression of gratitude, addressing this divine presence as ‘sweetest of sweets’. This epithet evokes an almost sensual intimacy, suggesting a deeply personal connection with God, who offers relief and solace. God’s intervention is characterized as rescuing Herbert from bodily and mental distress and transporting him to a ‘house of pleasure’ and ‘dainty lodging’. These phrases conjure images of refuge and spiritual elevation, positioning God as nurturer and healer who offers sanctuary from life’s tribulations [ … ]
