Daily Devotions
Angels at the Cross
Title: Angels at the Cross
Reading for April 25: 2 Kings 19-21
"Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot and arrow there... For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."
And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.
2 Kings 19:32, 34-35
Imagine the crucifixion from the perspective of the angels. They didn't understand what was going on (1 Pet 1:12), which means they were as baffled as everyone else over what happened.
When Jesus said he could call 12 legions of angels to come (Mt 26:53), we should remember an angel was already there. "And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." (Lk 22:43) What was going through the mind of that angel when Jesus was arrested? It's not unreasonable to think he was expecting to be called upon to defend Jesus at any moment.
But that was just the arrest. Angels watched as Jesus was mocked, spat upon, and beaten. Can you imagine their shock and dismay at what was happening? Can you see them gathering, getting ready for war? If an angel was sent at the request of King Hezekiah, how much more when the only begotten Son is crying out to his Father?
Can you imagine them looking over at God as all of these things were happening? Were they wondering when the order would be given? This was their Lord being crucified. They had worshipped him ever since they were created.
Now, they silently wait...
But the order never came.
He was scourged... He was nailed to a cross... His body was covered in blood... He cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
But the order never came.
Amazing love!
Father, we join the angels in worshipping you and the Lamb who was slain for our sins.
