The Angels Ministered to Him
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Mark 1:9-13
9. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; 11. and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased." 12. The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.
Luke 4:9-13
9. And he [Satan] took him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; 10. for it is written, `He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' 11. and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 12. And Jesus answered him, "It is said, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" 13. And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Satan knew that the angels ministered to Jesus while he was in the desert. I interpreted that phrase to mean that they waited at the ready, in case Jesus needed them. Of course, we know he didn’t! But I can’t help but ponder this whole concept—the dichotomy between the human and the divine. That, I guess, is the mystery! The angels surely knew that Jesus wouldn’t “need” them! They certainly believed that as part of the Triune God, he could handle himself against Satan. And yet, they stood at the ready. They “ministered to him.”
Was Jesus better able to resist Satan’s promises and chides because he knew the angels were his “backup plan?” No, I believe that He did not need them, or anyone or anything else to arm him against the prince of evil! In fact, he demonstrated for us all that if we rely upon “the Word” we will be adequately armed against temptation. If we pray, and seek out God, he will enlighten and empower us to withstand anything life throws at us. We will be able to seek and rejoice in the promise for a future in heaven versus settling for gratification here on earth. So I think Jesus just accepted that the angels accompanied him as they had before eternity even began.
We were made to seek out and desire heaven. We are never satisfied with this life, on this earth, in this body. God made us to want more; to need more; to seek more. And Satan knows that! After all he was once in heaven and part of the divine conversation about creation! He has some inside information that he uses against us for his own purposes! Even though he knows he’ll never beat out God, he can’t help trying! He is so full of himself, so vain, so conceited, so ruined by the power once granted him by God, that he cannot stand to see any of us willing to wait. . . willing to look to heaven wistfully . . . willing to feast upon God’s grace.
Perhaps the angels ministered to Jesus because he was so precious to them! He didn’t “need” them. But they needed him! And they were not willing to take the slightest chance that Satan might win out. Even though they knew it wasn’t possible! Just in case . . . After all, the salvation of all mankind was in the hands and heart and mind of this God/man! History was about to change! Life was about to get at once easier and simultaneously 100 times more difficult! The earth was groaning in anticipation . . .
And the angels waited. And watched.
I hope you spend today going to God with every question, seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for every answer, and imitating Christ in the face of every temptation and trial.
Mary
