“The Angel of Gethsemane” by Katie Wilson

“The Angel of Gethsemane” by Katie Wilson

 

Most of you probably already know, but this past weekend we had a citywide Bible Reading marathon in front of the courthouse. We started in Genesis on Thursday afternoon and finished in Revelation Sunday evening. Sign-up was on-line, in 30-minute increments, 24/7. The entirety of the Bible was read aloud and I have no doubt that Heaven was high-fiving a Holy Hallelujah the whole time.

To God be all the Glory.

 

As I finished one of my readings on Sunday morning, I sat and just listened as a few more stepped up to continue in the sharing of the greatest LOVE STORY ever told. And for the first time ever the Angel at Gethsemane captivated me.

**Let me catch you up in the Story if you don’t already know. Jesus has just had the Last Supper with His disciples and they are now following Him to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus pulls away to pray. Jesus knows His time has come; He is about to be betrayed and then take on and pay for the sin of the world. Again, this is no surprise to Jesus and He wanted to, always CHOOSES to, do whatever His Father wants Him to do; yet, He is in anguish. Remember, He is fully God and fully human.

“He (Jesus) pulled away from them (Peter, James and John) about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do youwant?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face. (Luke 22:41-44 MSG)

 

Has something in Scripture ever jumped off the page to you,

left you wondering,

asking God questions

or sent you on a research rabbit trail in commentaries or simply combing His Word for more, more of Him?

I left the courthouse pondering that angel with Jesus in Gethsemane.

 

**Below is the trail Holy Spirit and I took as we rolled around in the Gethsemane scene. I pray this encourages you to step onto the pages of Scripture with HIM. His Word is alive and active and God invites us into the Story as participants, not just bystanders.  Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Word each time you read it. Get ready for the joyride of your life and respond in dancing, singing, painting, writing, journaling, conversations, praise, pondering or however the Spirit leads. 

 

How was the angel chosen?

 

Why was that specific angel chosen?

 

How long did the angel stay to strengthen the Lord of Lords and King of Kings?

 

Did the angel weep while watching the Darling of Heaven in anguish?

 

In studying God’s Word these past several years, I have learned a lot about angels. Here are just a few fun facts I have gathered along the way.

 

FUN FACTS ABOUT ANGELS:

 

Angels are not tiny little baby cupids. They are actually huge, resembling giant warriors over fairies.  I don’t picture chubby babies with wings and fairies having to tell people not to be afraid. (see Matthew 28:4, Luke 2)

 

Angels are not male or female, although generally referred to in the masculine. (see Judges 13:21, 1 Chron. 21:27, Zech. 1:19, Revelation 14:17)

 

There are a set number of angels, because it appears that they were all created by the time we get to Gen. 2:1.

 

We know 1/3 of the angels fell with Lucifer; therefore, we have 2/3s as many on our side. (see Ezekiel 14 and 28)

 

Angels are messengers of God and protectors who respond to prayer. (Luke 22:43, Psalm 34:7, 91:10-13, 103:21)

 

And

 

we all have at least one angel assigned to us. (see Matthew 18:10)

 

There is Scripture backing all of these fun, angelic facts but please go on a treasure hunt in God’s Word to read them for yourselves. I have included a few to check out but there are many more to ponder.

If we’ve been called to have faith like a child, I bet the angels have a childlike side too. Angels have the privilege of seeing God face to face; therefore, they do not need faith, right? Since we, God’s children, are called to have faith like a child, I believe angels must have a childlike innocence, while being wrapped in the body of an angelic warrior. *This last speculation is purely my own and it sets the tone for the poem God wrote on my heart in response to HIS WORD about the “Angel of Gethsemane.”

 

“The Angel of Gethsemane”

I bet the angels sang,

“Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!”

But Father chose just one

for GETHSEMANE.

The Darling of Heaven,

knelt down to pray,

Sweating blood in the garden,

what did HE say?

Did Father choose the angel,

whose singing was the best?

Or did HE pass out papers,

to see who aced a test?

Jesus was in anguish.

Could all of Heaven see,

The selfless sacrifice

in Gethsemane?

“Father remove this cup from me,”

Papa was all ears.

“But Dad, I want what You want.”

Heaven was in tears.

Did Jesus even notice

the angel by his knee,

A chosen host of Heaven

for Gethsemane?

What if you were picked,

to strengthen God’s Own Son?

Did the angel feel unworthy?

But said, “Thy will be done.”

God’s messenger at once,

was standing right beside,

The Lord of Lords and King of Kings,

the apple of God’s eye.

The angel does his job

and Jesus is revived.

Only to pray harder,

to Father He confides.

How long did the angel stay,

with Jesus on that day?

What did the angel do;

what did the angel say?

I bet there is a library

where saints and angels write,

And I bet there is a book

about that angel’s night.

About the Author: Katie Wilson

Katie is a freedom freelancer, prayerful painter and clarion for Christ.  Catch up with Katie on her blog at https://psalm8110.com and check out her art gallery at https://psalm8110.com/art-gallery/

 

 

 

Tags: Gethsemane, God In Our City, Katie Wilson, Poetry, prayer