Hebrews 13:1-9
"Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews
13:2 RSV
Have
you ever had an encounter with an angel? From 1994 to 2003 there was a TV
show
titled “Touched by an Angel”. Most of the episodes involved
someone who was at a crossroad in their life. Monica and Tess brought them a message
of hope; that
God loved them and hadn’t forgotten them, and helped give them
guidance.
In
the Bible, angels make their first appearance in Genesis. Last week we read
about the angels that greeted the disciples as they looked for Jesus in the
tomb. Angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. They prepared Mary
and Joseph for his arrival. They worshiped God in Isaiah’s vision.
Angels
seem to play a very significant role in the Bible. And yet, I have never had an
encounter with one that I am aware of. I have never been touched by angel. Or have
I?
I
grew up in a small town in Michigan and lived in a subdivision full of kids. This
subdivision was bordered by M46 on the south side. It was a busy highway and there
was a hill that leveled out just as you approached the town. Cars would come
flying over that hill just before the speed limit was to slow down.
When
I was about 10 years old, a friend of mine was hit by a car flying over that
hill. A year or so later, I ran out onto that same stretch of road as a car
came down the hill. If he had hit me, he could have easily killed me. But he
didn’t. He swerved at the last second. I don’t claim that an angel protected
me, but who’s to say.
Although
the passage today mentions angels, I think what is more important is that it presents
the character of God. The Message gives us some insight with these words, “God assured us, ‘I’ll never let you down, never
walk off and leave you’”. A few verses later we are reminded that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever”.
Have
you ever been touched by an angel? I don’t know if an angel protected me on
that highway as a little boy, but what I do know is that Jesus has always been with
me. He never leaves me. He won’t desert me. And if you know Jesus; if he is
your Lord and Savior; if he is in your heart; you have been “Touched by
an Angel”.
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