The Day the Angels Wept
Matt 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-- which means, "God with us."
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT THE ROLE THAT ANGELS PLAYED IN THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS? It would take an entire book to spell out in detail how the life of Jesus was intertwined with the attending ministry of angels.
Let me share briefly some of the episodes from the New Testament.
1. To prepare for the birth of Christ, and angel appeared to Zacharias to inform him that his wife would be the mother of John the Baptist—cousin of our Lord.
2. Gabriel, one of the mighty angels of God, announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah.
3. A multitude of angels appeared to the Shepherds in the fields to announce His birth.
4. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream three times: to tell him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife for she was with child of the Holy Spirit; to warn him to take the child Jesus to Egypt so that Herod would not kill Him; after the death of Herod, an angel told Joseph to return with his family to Israel.
5. Angels assisted Jesus when He was being tempted of the devil in the wilderness.
6. In the Garden of Gethsemane, an angel came and strengthened Him as He agonized over the cross that awaited Him.
7. Angels were poised at Calvary, just waiting for Jesus to give the word for them to deliver Him.
8. After our Lord’s resurrection, angels rolled back the stone in front of the tomb so that His disciples and the whole world could see that He was gone!
9. At Jesus’ ascension, angel’s appeared to those assembled and declared, "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
10. And then, of course, angels will accompany Him as He returns one day to this earth to bring judgment and to usher in His glorious Kingdom.
As Jesus was ascending back to His Father, He was escorted by the holy angels, to be seated at the Father’s right hand. Then even the morning stars ascribed honor, glory, and praise to Him as the Son of the Living God.
On the other hand, some angels remained behind to assure those early disciples that they would always be near—ready to help God’s people throughout the ages to come—until Christ returns in person.
Psalm 34:7: “The angel of the Lord encamps round about those that fear God and delivers them.”
With all of this as background, let’s use our imaginations for a few moments and picture a scene in heaven that could well have taken place on a special night long ago.
Story: “Out of the Ivory Palaces”
There was sorrow in heaven! Can you imagine that? Sorrow in heaven!
It all seemed so strange to two of the smallest angels by the name of Arnal and Pax. They were given the task of carrying the messages for the Master from one end of heaven to the other.
Arnal said to Pax, “I actually saw those things called ‘tears’ in Gabriel’s eyes. Something terrible must have happened to have caused that. Someone said that tears were shed in heaven on only one other occasion—back when the earth was created.”
Pax asked, “When exactly was the first time?” Arnal answered, “I’m not quite sure but I believe it had something to do with the first creatures of earth. They did something that boke the Master’s heart.”
Do you remember that day when the foundations were laid, and we all shouted for joy?” “Oh, yes, Arnal, that wonderful song the morning stars sang together. I’ll never forget that. But I still don’t understand the tears in Gabriel’s eyes or the sad look on the faces of all the big angels. I’m sure it has something to do with those beings on earth. The Father loves them so much and I wonder why. They don’t seem to appreciate what He has done for them. And do you know what I have heard? I heard the strangest story—that the Lord Jesus is going down to earth to live among them!”
Arnal looked at his friend, shocked! And for the first time in his existence a tear fell down his cheeks and he said, “Going to leave us? Leave the Ivory Palaces and the Rainbow Throne and the love and beauty of Heaven? What will he do down there, Pax?”
“I don’t know for sure. Someone said He was going to be born.” “Born? What’s born?” “I don’t know. Its something that happens to earth creatures.”
“You don’t mean to say that He’s going to be like them and take the same kind of body, do you?” “I’m afraid so,” said Pax. “Well, when is this thing supposed to take place, Pax?” “I think its what they call ‘tonight’ down there. It could be any moment now.” Arnal said, “Then come on, Pax. Let’s hurry back to the city.”
There was a great deal of commotion in the celestial city when the two little angels arrived. Messengers were hurrying to and fro and there was a great blowing of trumpets. Angels had massed from the four corners of heaven.
Row upon row, rank upon rank—angels and archangels were there before the Great Throne of God Almighty. Arnal and Pax saw something that made their hearts sink—the seat at the right of the throne was empty! The Bright and Morning Star was gone!
Suddenly, Arnal and Pax heard their names called and Gabriel ordered them to find a place in the massed group. They stood together at the end of the front row. Gabriel raised his hand and there was complete silence! Then in clear tones as sweet as the sound of many waters, he spoke: “You’ve been called together to hear the most wonderful pronouncement ever made in the eternal ages in which we live! Our beloved Lord, the only begotten of the Father, has left us.”
The voice of the great trembled and sobs burst from the lips of the gathered host. In a moment Gabriel continued: “Our Lord has gone to earth to be born as a babe that He might take upon Himself the fashion of a man. Only in this way , the Father believes, can the earth people know of His love for them. He will take away the sin of all earth creatures who receive His offer of salvation.”
A gasp of astonishment rose from the angels. In a moment, Gabriel continued. “On earth tonight in a little town called Bethlehem, His incarnation will be accomplished. By the order of the Father, you will accompany me as we bring the good news to the weary world. I will make the announcement to a few shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem, simple-hearted men who fear God and believe His promises. You will sing I give you. Its time. Let us go.”
Arnal was trembling with excitement as he and Pax, small though they were, had been selected for the journey. They were to sing the glad tidings with the heavenly singers. The whole air seemed filled with the angelic host that attended Gabriel on his way.
By the thousands and tens of thousands they swept through the heavens. Down through the belt of Orion, on past the Milky Way---down, down, they went through the still night air, leaving the stars twinkling far behind them.
At a signal from Gabriel they stopped, poised above the earth. Below them, by the light of a camp fire, they could see shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly, Gabriel broke through the clouds and stood before the men. The shepherds gazed at them in awe and then fell in terror to the ground.
Then Gabriel spoke: “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
As the angel finished these words, the light of the glory of God fell from heaven and the angelic host stood revealed. They knew what they were to sing, though they didn’t comprehend the mystery of it all. And so they lifted their glorious voices in praise to Him. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men of good will.”
The song floated out upon the still night air. It enraptured the shepherds who heard it. The night breeze that blows over the fields of Bethlehem caught it up and bore it heavenward, where it echoed around the Throne of God and was lost among the stars. Then at a signal from Gabriel the heavenly host moved upward.
“What does all this mean?” Arnal asked Pax. “I cannot tell. But wasn’t it wonderful? Oh, Arnal, don’t you know the people down there appreciate what God has done? I suspect they will soon be gathered to welcome the Baby. They will come from all over the earth. They will love Him as we do. I hope it doesn’t take long to redeem them for we will be so lonely in heaven without Him.”
Some 33 years passed and again we listen in as Arnal and Pax are engaged in conversation. “I can’t believe it Pax! They killed our Lord! He went to love them and to show them the way to the Father and they ridiculed Him and mocked Him and tortured Him and finally nailed Him to a cross. Why doesn’t the Father punish them? Why doesn’t He destroy that sick and wretched planet?”
“Well, Arnal, I guess its because He loves them. In fact, I heard on of the bigger angels say that the Master knew all along that they would do all of these alful thing to Him and He willingly laid down His life to redeem them.
Remember when Michael led a group of 10,000 angels to Calvary? They stood poised for action! Just one word from our Lord and they would have destroyed the entire city of Jerusalem…and yet He didn’t give the command. I don’t understand that kind of love, Arnal!”
“He returned to the city just two days ago, Pax. All heaven is rejoicing. Its just like the old days. Its so good to have Him back.”
And so the two small angels returned to the city to behold their Lord. His glory filled the entire city—with one difference—this glory shone through an earth creature’s body—a body with scars on hands and feet.
And the angels had again come from the far corners of the universe to sing a new song. But when they approached the Great Throne, they saw that it was impossible to get near it for it was surrounded by thousands and millions of human souls singing with perfect harmony:
Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks
and honor and power and strength be to
our God for ever and ever. Amen!
