Pious Lutheran

Saint Michael the Archangel Vanquishing Satan,  Rafal Hadziewicz, 1830 The Comfort of the Angels The angels were created for the sake of Christians Angels are always beholding the face of God and therefore always do His will Angels guard the children of God A blessed Michaelmas dear brothers and sisters in Christ! I know you’ve heard of Christmas, a church service celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus. But Michaelmas may sound a bit strange to your ears. In centuries past, however, Michaelmas was as well-known as any other holiday, marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Michaelmas is a church service celebrating St. Michael the Archangel, and in general all of the good angels. It’s unfortunate that this feast day has gone out of vogue, but it’s worth remembering yearly, because on this day God reveals His comfort for us through the holy angels. I think it’s a safe guess to make that the majority of people believe in angels. Perhaps there are more people who believe ...

The Little Child Set in their Midst,  Harold Copping, 1910 The greatest is the neediest and the weakest Children are needy and weak; so are we all Because of our weakness we easily fall into temptation, so we must resist temptation God sends His angels to help us in our weakness A blessed feast of St. Michael and All Angels to you dear friends in Christ! Before we consider the significance of God sending angels, let’s consider why God would send angels to watch over us. Our Gospel reading began with the disciples asking a question of Jesus: “ Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ” This is really an awkward question, especially when you read between the lines. They’re not really asking who is the greatest in God’s kingdom, because that would obviously be God. Their question rather is: Am I the greatest in God’s kingdom? Their question isn’t all that different from the question the mother of James and John asks Jesus, about them being seated at the right and left hand in par...

Saint Michael and the Dragon,  Benjamin West, 1797 Angels fight for us. What are angels How have angels fought for us and still fight for us Christ, the greater Michael, who fights for us A blessed Michaelmas to you my friends! This Sunday we are observing the feast of St. Michael and All Angels. Considering the popularity of angels in our culture and the many misconceptions people have about them, it’s good to spend a day giving thanks to God for sending angels who fight for us. Today we will answer the question of what angels are, how they’ve fought for us and still fight for us, and how angels point us to Christ, the greater Michael, who fights for us. So, what is an angel? St. Paul wrote in Hebrews: “ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? ” Angels are ministering spirits. So very importantly that means that they’re created beings. They’re not gods; they may be spirits and immortal, but they’re not gods. Jesus ...

St. Michael , Raphael, 1504 The idea of patron saints is rather popular and attractive in various circles of Christianity, particularly in Roman Catholicism. It’s just a nice thought that there’s someone watching over you, guarding you, and guiding you during life’s trials. That said, having patron saints is a wholly unbiblical notion, since the Bible nowhere says that when we die God puts us to work taking care of people on earth. Death for the Christian is described as rest and being in the nearer presence of God. Those who’ve died don’t travel between heaven and earth. It’s quite possible that the church in heaven is praying to God for the church on earth, but that’s a far cry from being a patron saint. Moreover, Christians don’t become angels when they die. Angels are a unique type of created being, distinct from humans. Humans were created as humans, and angels were created as angels. Humans no more become angels in heaven than they become porcupines or maple trees in heaven. Ange...

  Jesus, setting a small boy in the midst of the disciples, said: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ” You, who have been adopted into God’s family through the waters of baptism, whether you are in the golden morn or silvery eve of life, you are God’s beloved children. God, your heavenly Father, sent His holy angels to guard you, His children. “ For I tell you that in heaven their [God’s children’s] angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. ” My brothers and sisters, we are God’s children, Jesus Christ is our brother, and we are all one family in Him through the waters of baptism. When Christ was baptized, He sanctified all waters of baptism to be a lavish washing away of sin and an adoption into the holy family. You are God’s children. From the womb to the cradle to the grave, you’re God’s little children. Like t...