The mystery of godliness (4) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels.
1 Timothy 3:16.

The mystery of godliness (4)
When the Lord Jesus was on earth, not only the visible world looked upon Him, but also the world of angels. Angels had been created long before they beheld their Creator for the first time at the birth of Jesus. But then they immediately rejoiced audibly: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men" (Luke 2:14).

The Son of God on this earth fully occupied the attention of the angels. They were instructed to announce His birth, His resurrection, His ascension and His return (cf. Luke 2:11; Matthew 28:5.6; Acts 1:10.11).

The angels are "ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14), being regularly commissioned to support believers. But when the Son of God was on earth in hostile circumstances, their ministry was especially directed towards Him. They are, after all, ever at His service as His angels. They ministered to Him when he was among wild animals and tempted by Satan for forty days. Later angels supported Him in His agonising struggle in Gethsemane. It must have pleased them to be able to serve Him. Angels also saw that the Son of man was made lower than they "for the suffering of death" (Hebrews 2:9).

That was not all. The Son of God returned to heaven as the glorified Man. That they observed with joy and wonder. And ever since they have acknowledged Him to be the Lamb that was slain, who is worthy of all honour (Revelation 5:11.12).

(to be continued next Wednesday)

Today's reading: Ezra 6:13-22 · Proverbs 6:20-35