05/04/2020
John 22: 39-46 describes the anguish Jesus suffers in an olive grove called Gethsemane.Verse 43 and 44 are not included in the older, top grade manuscripts. Perhaps a scribe entered these verses as a foot note while another scribe down the line incorporated the footnote into the text.However the Holy arranged this, I believe these two verses are necessary for us to realize our fallen condition. "An angel from heaven appeared to Jesus and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, Jesus prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Lest we fail to understand what a heinous abomination our sin is to the Eternal Father, we witness this repulsive inheritance nearly causing the sinless Son of God to succumb. Today, after following my Lord and my God, Jesus the Christ for more years than I am able to remember, I am convinced that these sinless, spiritual creatures minister to all the followers of Christ. Let us also appreciate the mortal, physical "angels" who have, John 1:14, "pitched their tents among us" These individuals have been inculcated with the need or desire to spend the working portion of their lives in the service of others. Whether in uniform or not, they protect us both from external and internal threats. Unfortunately we often neglect to give them the honor they so richly deserve.
