Help from Above

Mark 1:12-15:

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Blog:

Far too often, I hear people say that they only Pray for help from God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.  For many Believers, they just don’t believe in Praying for help from anyone else; including Angels, Mary, Joseph, Saints, Loved Ones in Heaven, etc.  But the Gospel is full of examples of Angels acting in support of Jesus.  They predicted His birth to Mary (Luke 1:30) and Joseph (Matthew 1:20), announced His birth to the shepherds (Luke 2:10), warned Joseph and Mary to go to Egypt (Matthew 2:19), ministered to Jesus at the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 4:11) and at the end in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), were ready to defend Jesus during His arrest (Matthew 26:53), rolled back the stone at the Resurrection (Matthew 28:2), announced the Resurrection to the world (Matthew 28:6), and were nearby at the Ascension while predicting His second coming (Acts 1:11).  In fact, Jesus Himself taught that He would return accompanied by Angels (Matthew 25:31) and that Angels will be with Christ to carry out the final judgment (Matthew 13:39, 40).  And, Angels come in nine (9) different shapes and sizes, as well, and are classified into three (3) Spheres; including the First Sphere (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), the Second Sphere (Dominions/Lordships, Virtues/Strongholds, Powers/Authorities), and the Third Sphere (Principalities/Rulers, Archangels, Angels).  There is a Good reason that Angels are referenced in the Gospel – especially around challenging seasons for us like Lent.  Angels are here to help us, but, far too often, many don’t cry out for their help, too.  Our Guardian Angels are always at our sides, but they are just one of an infinite number of Heavenly Hosts who are ready to help us in our efforts to get Home to Heaven.  While the Holy Trinity is the focus of our Worship, the Angels are our Heavenly Allies in a fallen world.  And, just like how they Ministered to Jesus, they are happy to Minister to us, too…  They only need to get the Call from us…