A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

ANGELS MINISTERED TO JESUS

Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.”

One angel, a fallen one, tried to tempt Jesus to sin. At the end of the time of Satan’s temptations of Jesus, holy angels came and ministered to Him. There is nothing more specific than the word “attended” or “ministered,” but one would assume this means they brought to Jesus what He needed for His physical weakness, bodily hunger and spiritual encouragement.   

Hebrews 1:14 asks rhetorically, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” The angels that ministered to Jesus were doing what the Psalmist wrote “. . . He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands . . . “ (Psalm 91:11-12) Angels were present in Jesus’ earthly ministry at His birth, here at the end of His wilderness temptations, in the tomb on Easter morning. . . Indeed, they ministered to Jesus or to those associated with Him. 

Angels also surround, protect and minister to you throughout your life. “. . . He (Yahweh) will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands . . . “ (Psalm 91:11-12) Note that the Holy Spirit’s inspired word provides no wiggle room. There are no conditional “if’s,” or “might’s,” in the words of the Psalmist. There is no uncertainty in the Psalmist’s message. “He (Yahweh) will . . .” Your future is secure. It is insured by God’s promise who promises He will “never leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31; Hebrews 13:5) 

Satan left. His temptations of Jesus failed. The angels appeared! They ministered to Jesus in His time of need. Satan tempts you! God’s Spirit and His angels minister to you in times of temptation because He cares for you.   

Prayer: Surround me Lord with Your guarding angels to protect me in all my ways. Especially send them when I am weak to lift me up and minister to my needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stars of the morning, so gloriously bright,
Angels in heaven, resplendent in light,
These, where no darkness the glory can dim,
Praise the Thrice Holy One, serving but Him. 

These are Your ministers, these are Your own,
Lord, God of Sabaoth, nearest Your throne;
These are Your messengers, these whom You send,
Helping Your helpless ones, Helper and Friend. 

Then, when the earth was first poised in mid-space,
Then, when the planets first sped on their race,
Then, when were ended the is six days’ employ,
Then all the sons of God shouted for joy. 

Still let them aid us and still let them fight,
Lord of angelic hosts, battling for right,
Till, where their anthems they ceaselessly pour,
We with the angels may bow and adore.  (LSB 520)