-December 8, 2022-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:26).
“And the angel answered and said to him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you these glad tidings’” (Luke 1:19).
Though there are myriads of angels, only three are mentioned by name in the Bible: Gabriel, Michael the archangel, and Lucifer the fallen angel who became the devil and was cast out of heaven along with one third of the angels who followed him. Most angels are unnamed and serve and worship the Lord anonymously and faithfully.
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to speak to Zachariah the father of John the Baptist and announced that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son in their advanced years who would be the forerunner of Christ. Most notably, He was sent to the virgin Mary in Nazareth announcing that she would bear a Son by the power of the Holy Spirit, who would be called Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah. His conversation with Mary is found in Luke 1:26-38. What an important mission God sent Gabriel on to speak to these two. God also sent him to speak to the prophet Daniel. In Daniel’s case, both Gabriel and Michael were sent to him.
Gabriel was an entrusted angel who was sent on very important missions. He was God secret agent and special envoy. He certainly fits the definition of envoy, “A messenger or representative, especially on a diplomatic mission.” His missions were of the greatest importance and required great wisdom and sensitivity. Michael is more the warrior who fights against the devil and his demons. I can’t say for sure, but after Lucifer’s fall, Gabriel may have replaced Lucifer as one of the great leaders of the angels or he and Michael may have shared the honor.
Gabriel may have also been the unnamed angel who spoke to Joseph to take Mary as his wife, and also to take Mary and the young Child Jesus to Egypt and then to come back to Israel. Angels play a vital role in the affairs of people, though we can’t see or hear them. They are assigned to protect and help God’s people. Speaking to Mary was his greatest mission of all, and he did so with the utmost care and sensitivity. What an important announcement he made to her. He spoke very patiently and clearly to her.
God knew He could trust and count on Gabriel. The question is can God count on us with most important mission of proclaiming the gospel to our fellow humans? We are also called ambassadors for Christ. We represent heaven to the people of earth. We are servants of the most high God. Let us take our mission just as seriously as Gabriel did.
May we as believers share the message of Christmas with those we live with, work with, and otherwise have contact with. What a privilege and responsibility we have before God. Have a blessed day sharing the true meaning of Christmas. Stay safe and healthy.
Being one of God’s not so secret agents,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 