"And an angel appeared to Him from heaven strengthening Him."

Luke 22:43. 

In the Scriptures there are numerous brief phrases and statements we may easily overlook. So many of them are couched in words of divine simplicity, on account of which we my read them with minimal concentration and meditation. But I am equally sure by the grace of God, apprehended by them, and caused to to muse upon them, thus we find surprising benefit for our soul. I suggest that the above quotation from the Word of God is a perfect example.

I must stress rigorously that I am very conscious of how easy it is to intrude into things concerning the Person of the Son that belong exclusively to the Father; all such is profane curiosity! May the Lord keep me, and all His own loved ones from such an independent spirit, from such a horrible affront to God. Pure speculation and unbridled imagination go beyond the constraints of divine revelation.

"And an angel appeared to Him from heaven strengthening Him." This is recorded as taking place in Gethsemane, that garden on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. Even the suggestion of help from "without" at Golgotha is totally impossible; there in "the place" the Lord Jesus suffered, bled and died atoningly ALONE! How then do we understand this astonishing revelation that took place where He was wont to frequent?

Firstly, what did the angel do? Nothing apart from "appearing," as far as I understand it. The "clue," (if I am permitted to use such a word), lies in the phrase "from heaven" for it surely indicates that heaven had not been "shut up" to Him, which was the awful reality during those three hours of impenetrable darkness at Golgotha. How the appearance of one from His native sphere would have "strengthened Him."

"Here again, however, observe that the suffering (in the garden of Gethsemane) differs essentially from atonement. For not only does He speak out of the full consciousness of His relationship with the Father, but He has also the angelic help which would have been wholly out of season when forsaken of God because of sin-bearing. All was most real."                                          Exposition of the Gospel of Luke.  W.K.

Another has written: "But how could this angelic creature strengthen the incarnate Creator? The angel "appeared" we are told. That was all. He did not do anything. he came as an ambassador of heaven and by simply standing there, he showed that all his felloes stood undaunted with the Son of God." G.T.B.

I feel that my thoughts on this amazing incident are in their simplicity correct, and welcome such confirmation from two who were mighty in the Scriptures. T.W.

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