Angels are seen in different times in the Bible. They are also seen in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Though the Lord existed before them, angels were the ones who announced the birth of our Lord and Savior as a normal human being -- to Mary His earthly mother (see Luke 1:26-28), to Joseph His earthly father (see Matthew 1:19-21), and to shepherds in the field (see Luke 2:8-20).
Angels came to minister to Jesus after He faced the devil (see Matthew 4:11). They were ready to defend Him when Judas betrayed Him (see Matthew 26:53). An angel opened the tomb He emptied (see Matthew 28:2), announced His resurrection to men (see Matthew 28:5-6), and were present as He ascended into heaven (see Acts 1:10).
Angels were also present in one of the most important moments in history -- the time before Jesus was betrayed, while He was praying in the garden of Gethsemane.
Strengthening Christ
In Luke 22:41-44 we read Christ praying and in agony when an angel comes to Him:
"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
This passage might be short, but it teaches us a few things that we need to understand. Here are some things we can learn from this time in Christ's life on earth.
1) They are God's servants
First and foremost, angels are God's servants. We are not to equate them with God Himself, though they may seem powerful or heavenly.
Some engage in the worship of angels (see Colossians 2:18). This is wrong, and even God's angels do not want that (see Revelation 22:9).
Angels are ministering servants sent to do God's will.
2) They are able to comfort and strengthen us in time of need
As mentioned above, angels were present in various times in the earthly life of Christ. In this particular moment, an angel was more than just present; the angel was actively involved.
Luke 22:43 tells us that the angel was "strengthening" Christ as He faced such agony. The agony He faced was so intense that according to verse 44, "His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
This sweating of blood is a real, although rare clinical phenomenon. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, this phenomenon, called "hematohidrosis," "is a condition in which capillary blood vessels that feed the sweat glands rupture, causing them to exude blood, occurring under conditions of extreme physical or emotional stress."
Christ faced extreme stress at the moment, for He knew that He would be facing a terrible and undeserved injustice and suffering -- for our sakes, and an angel came to encourage and strengthen Him.
3) God's angels encourage us to pursue God's will
The Bible tells us that Satan was an angel who had fallen into sin. This devil deceived many others, and all of them were cast out from heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:16; Revelation 12:4, 7-9).
Now, the devil and his minions are out to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10). Their aim is to drag us to sin and hell with them.
The devil does this using different tactics, one of which is by disguising as a legitimate God-sent angel (see 2 Corinthians 11:14).
How do we know if the angel is from God and not?
If the angel confesses Christ Jesus as having come in the flesh.
"By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God." (see 1 John 4:2-3)
God's angels will always glorify Christ. They will always urge us to worship God and pursue His will.
