An Encounter
Hebrews 1:1-14
Do you believe in angels?
Photo by Yuichi Kageyama on Unsplash
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” And, “In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.” But to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? - Hebrews 1:1-14
Imagine believing in something and then not recognizing it when you encounter it.
Those who believed in the Messiah failed to recognize Jesus when he came, but those who had no preconceived notion of the Messiah were the first to accept him.
It’s funny how that works, isn’t it?
It is safe to say that none of us has seen Jesus in person. Paul claims to have seen him, but the account says he heard his voice and felt his presence.
So, our belief is based on faith and not physical evidence. For that reason, doubters and nonbelievers can scoff. They can say we are fools to believe what we cannot see.
Now, before we reject that notion, remember the people who believed in the Messiah but rejected Jesus.
If you ask people if they have ever seen an angel, chances are most will say they have not, but some will describe an encounter that they swear is an angel’s presence, even though, to you, it sounds like something that could be explained away.
I think about what Jesus said when he was describing encounters with him. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus told us that whatever we do for the least of these brothers and sisters, we do for him.
Most of us don’t imagine that Jesus is actually present in these individuals who are naked, hungry, in prison, sick, or strangers. But what if Jesus did appear to us as everyday humans?
What if Jesus, the angels, and spirits come to us in a variety of forms that we don’t expect?
Just like the Pharisees and scribes, we build up images and then look for people who fit the mold. How many times did God fool the people who were looking for a particular type of person to fill the role of leader or prophet?
God calls the least likely.
Jesus was a person, born like any one of us. No wonder people have a hard time believing he could be divine. But what if we are all divine?
What if any one of us can be filled with the spirit and be like angels?
A person cries out for help, and God responds by finding someone who can help that person.
It is an amazing network of resources connected by God’s Spirit dwelling within us.
So, don’t be too quick to discount what someone says when they talk about an encounter with Jesus, or God, or a spirit, or an angel.
God does work in many mysterious ways.
He can send an angel to you in a variety of forms, even as a bird or a butterfly, or as a friend.
More to come...
A frog appeared at my door last night & it made me feel like it was a message from my dad. A hawk landed dramatically at the dining room window Friday, I just saw a flash of white, a figure, then.....the hawk hopped on the fence.
Nature is my angel messages.
Angels are all around us - for me they show as dragonflies and fallen bird feathers - reminding me that someone is taking care of me and ever-present.