Feast of St. Michael

Well today was the much promised break from Trinity season I told you about last week.

The Anglican church in its inception hung on to some Saint Days from the Roman calendar what it came into existence. One of those days is the feast of St. Michael and all angels. It is a day to bring our attention to the angelic hosts of heaven.

Stop if for a moment and imagine what comes to mind when you think of Angels. Maybe the baby cherubs in the diapers with heart bows and arrows you see around valentines. Maybe the white blond hare blue eyed swordsmen of 90’s baptist art.

We I think there are ways in which we do not give angels enough attention and ways we give too much of the wrong attention.

Let’s look at today’s text. Now the text starts very focused on humility

In that way you could say the text’s main point is humility. Who wants to be greatest in the kingdom? They must be lest.

Jesus even says to be as little children: Very Vulnerable crew.

But its this last bit of the text that I want to give our attention tonight.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven

Its a grave warning, if you lead little ones astray, you are going to have God’s Angels who behold God to answer for it. There is a sense where Jesus is reminding them that the Angels who protect will protect the little ones.

So what is an angel? Let us go through a few things about them.

First off: They are not eternal, but they did witness much of the beginning of time.

So only God, three persons, one essence is eternal and always existing Job 38:4-7 Job 38:4–7 [4] “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. [5] Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? [6] On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, [7] when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (ESV)

Second of all they are not all one thing, there are Angels.

Gen 16 you have Melak messenger (No Wings)

Exodus 3, Numbers with Balam, Judges 13:6 Impressive Angel.

Michael and Gabriel.

Captain of Saba (Joshua)

Cherubim: (Has Wings) Attend God’s Throne, Protect God’s space. Sing GOd’s praise.

Eden, The Top of the Ark

Ez 1 has a description

Seraphim: Often used to talk about serpents, but in one case they are the Angelic beings tending to God’s Throne in Is 6, Six wings.

The have capabilities man does not. And when man is in the fallen state the angels rank higher.

Angel is kinda a bad catch all for the name. Angelos has an actual meaning

Have volition and yet are frozen in their elections.

So how should the knowledge of Angels impact our spiritual lives.

We should follow them in their praise of God. Sursum Cordia, Sanctus, Gloria,

We should know that they protect God’s people…even in our day.

No one is willing to say that the Bible confirms individual Guardian angels. But many traditions hold to it and Angels are assigned protection in specific events. We should know they participate in God’s care of his elect.

At the end of all things the Angels of God will be unleashed for the destruction of the enemies of God. I am guessing if you are hear this morning you are feeling a sense of saftey on that. But let us now forger our neibors who until now have chose not God but the world that is in rebellion.

And to finish today. The Gospel is that Jesus Christ take our sins on his shoulders and dies to save us. The Gospel is that he gets our punishment and we get his blessings of sonship and inheritance. But on this Sunday like every Sunday we celebrate the Eucharist.

Adam and Eve had the privilege to feast on feast of the Garden along with the food that gives eternal life. When they sin and loose that, cherubim with firey swords are placed at the entrance to make sure they cannot return into God’s space and God’s meal. Jesus has gotten us back to the garden. He is the tree, or the vine. His body and blood the feast, or the fruit that leads to eternal life. He guides safely past the guarding angels to this space. Therefore let us keep the feast.