Dear Tom:
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell about the devil’s temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Matthew and Mark both conclude the story with angels “waiting on” Jesus. Luke doesn’t mention it, and the commentators give the angels appearance little significance. Earlier translations have the angels “healing” or “administering” Jesus rather than “waiting on.” What word is correct I do not know. I suspect the Reverend Vaught would find what original Greek word was used and then take the Greek meaning to give the conclussion to the
wilderness temptation significance, or maybe not, nobody else does. But for some reason, the image of angels coming to Jesus in the desert, addressing his wounds, giving him food and drink, and
cleansing his body of 40 days of dirt , sand, and grime sticks in my
mind, and I cannot get “loose of it.” To me there is more to this
image than a way to conclude a story. Maybe this morning’s Grape Nuts triggered a brain cell that remembers a Renaissance image of
this scene, but I doubt it.
Perhaps, the attendance of angels whether they are “waiting on, healing, or ministering” represents a lot more than just the binding
of wounds and receiving nourishment. Jesus was in the desert with
the Devil. Perhaps the angels presence represents Jesus coming
back into balance with himself and God. Your Sufi mystics talk of
healing in this way. Often, illness or extreme trauma can throw our
breathing and heart out of rhythm. We are separated and lost.
Perhaps the angels presence represent the wings of healing flying
Jesus back to the source of Compassion. They represent the
regenerative power of reconnecting with God.
Maybe, the message is as simple as God will send his angels when we have been seperated from him. We don’t even have to ask.
Just a thought.
Your Friend, Webb
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