Serving as an Angel of the LORD is always an exciting
task. Every time we see the master plan
unfolded just a little bit further, there’s more to marvel at. Take for instance, the day when the
Three-in-One took on humanity. I mean,
humans were interesting enough as these frail, mortal creatures of dust that
nevertheless reflected the Father’s image in ways we could never begin to
imagine. And then the Son became one of them? Incredible.
Unimaginable. Spectacular. Stupendous…Ah, you get the picture. The Enemy stepped up his attacks in those
days and, well, let’s just say I never want to experience another day like Calvary
again. But the absolute best day in all of the ages was when the
Son broke free from the chains of Death.
Most thought it impossible but he did it all right.
What’s my name? It
doesn’t matter. There’s only one name
you need to know, Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ. It’s his name that matters. Me, I’m just one of the heavenly host. I’ve been battling against the Enemy for a
long time now, longer than you’ve been around, and I’ve seen a lot. Some of it ugly and some of it
magnificent. Like many others, I’ve been
seen by Men a few times, when the Three-in-One permits it. You might know me from when I was sent to
break Peter out of prison.
Yeah, that Peter.
Simon the fisherman turned Peter, fisher of men. Interesting fellow with a tendency to put his
foot in his mouth as the saying goes. But,
wow, did the Three-in-One not turn him into a mighty warrior. That mouth that sometimes got him in
trouble? It spoke the Creator’s very
words that pierced even the hardest hearts.
It also got him arrested because he was telling the story of the
Resurrected One. Multiple times.
Oh, you want to hear the story? Sure, why not.
Me, in those days, I was just in awe of what the
Three-in-One was doing with his creation so when word came that Peter’d been
arrested and that his friends were praying for his release, I was thrilled to
be called on to help break him out. Getting
into the jail wasn’t easy – we opted for a stealth mission rather than full on
attack – and I knew I’d have to be quick.
With all the prayers going on, I fully expected to find Peter waiting
for his prison break.
Not so much.
Instead, Peter’s sound asleep, chained between two guards
who are supposed to ensure he cannot escape without waking them up. No problem.
I make sure the guards aren’t going to be waking up for a good long
while and turn back to Peter. Who is
snoring. Snoring! In a prison cell, on a hard, stone floor,
chained up, and he’s out cold. Guess
he’s not worried about tomorrow then.
“Peter.” I call.
No answer.
Again – “Peter!”
He just curls up a little tighter against the cold. Okaaayy…
“Peter!” This time
I smack him on the side and he actually wakes up. But he doesn’t move other than to blink
bleary eyes up at me so I hauled him to his feet “Get up, quick!”
A touch is all it takes for the chains on his wrists to
fall away but Peter still doesn’t make any move. Which is kinda unusual for me. Most of the time I show up, people are
terrified but Peter’s acting as if I’m just a figment of his imagination. Oh well.
I’m in a hurry here so he’s got to get with the program.
“Get dressed and put on your sandals.” I shove his stuff to him and make a quick
check of the area. So far, no one seems
to have noticed that I'm breaking Peter out but who knows how long that will
last. I look back at Peter. He's dressed and has his sandals on but is
still holding his coat like he doesn’t know what to do with it. This was more than a bit ridiculous.
“Put your coat on,” I said. He moved like a man in a dream but did as I
said. “Follow me.” I took his arm and we headed out.
Thankfully, Peter followed along without questions. He stared around him like he didn’t believe
what he was seeing was real but at least he didn’t trip over his own feet. There were two guard posts before we got to
the gates but Peter and I were walking just beyond mortal sight so they never
knew we passed them (I always love doing that). One of my friends
was waiting at the gates and he opened them just as we got there. I’m pretty sure Peter never even saw him.
“Took you long enough,” My friend whispered. “We’re in the clear now; get him down the
next street and he can make the rest of the way without our obvious
interference.”
“Works for me.
He’s been acting like a sleepwalker the whole time.” I look Peter over once more (the guy hasn’t
moved a single step past the gate) and lead him down the road just a little
farther. At the next street, I scan the area for threats but it still seemed clear so I take that final step beyond
Peter’s sight. Now maybe Peter will believe everything that just happened, actually did happen.
When I disappeared, Peter froze, blinked, and looked
around him with growing astonishment. Yep. Now
he realizes the whole thing wasn’t a dream.
Good for him.
Peter spoke then for the first time that night. “Now I know for certain that the Lord has
sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and all the
expectation of the Jewish people.” It
almost sounded like he was reassuring himself that it was all real. Believe me, Peter, you really were just
rescued.
He shook himself after that little speech and took off
took off for the house where so many of God’s people were gathered to pray,
praises to our God singing from him as he ran.
Now that made me grin.
Mission accomplished.
There’ve been many more such missions I’ve had the
privilege of being on. And sometimes,
I’ve had to stand aside and watch while the Enemy seems to be victorious. But even in those times, I know that the
Three-in-One is greater far and those apparent defeats often deal a greater
blow to the Enemy’s forces than mortal and angelic eyes can see. The battle rages on and while I don’t know when it will end, I do know how.
‘Cause when the Three-in-One steps in himself, there is nothing that can
stand in his way.
It’s going to be awesome.
While the story above
is almost entirely fiction it is inspired by the true events found in Acts
12:5-10. I just can’t get past the image
of this exasperated angel telling Peter what to do every step of the way
throughout the rescue. Angels are
warriors of God but they are also his messengers, errand-runners, and even
prison-breakers. In this case, for a guy
who thought he was dreaming every step of the way. :-)
It is my belief that there is more to this world
than what mortal eyes can see. A battle
rages across the ages between the armies of the King of Glory and the Enemy of
our souls. And while the death blow to
the Enemy was dealt at a cross and empty tomb, the fight continues to this
day. Some people are more aware of it
than others, I think, but all are caught up on one side or the other. I make no pretense at knowing exactly what goes
on beyond the realm of sight, but I do hope we can remember that not everything
we don’t see is grim and dark. Sometimes, what is going on behind the scenes
just may be worth grinning at.
