Hebrews 9-13: Angels are messengers sent from heaven to convey a message. In the Christmas story we see angels bring a couple of messages, one to Mary and one to the shepherds. In both situations the message was being conveyed that the Child to be born would be the Savior.
In our reading today we are reminded that angelic messengers are still making appearances and at times we are unaware.
13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
I thought you guys might enjoy hearing a story where I think just that happened in my life. When Les was in seminary we lived half of the week in New Orleans at the Seminary and the weekends we spent at our church field in Florence Mississippi. We made that trek faithfully for almost 2 years. One week Les went before the children and me and I was to come later. The little brown car we owned at the time had been super faithful but this week we had a problem. I had no idea what to do. I just knew it had to be seen about. I took it to the car dealership and waited with the children as they diagnosed the problem. I knew our finances were very limited to about $246 in the bank. As the morning wore on my anxiety grew. A bald headed man in his mid 40s came and sat down beside me. We small talked and he knew me anxiety when the repair man came in and told me the repairs would be almost $400. All of the blood drained from my face, but I knew it had to be fixed. (it was the alternator) I told the repairman to go ahead and fix it. Then I called Les and tried to figure out how we would move money to be able to afford it. Two hours later the car was repaired and I went to the window to pay the bill. When I asked the lady the total she said, $246 I said “Are you sure?” She said yes. I said that the repairman had quoted a much higher price and she said, “It was that amount but there was a man who came and paid the balance.” I asked who he was and she said she did not know him but he was a baldheaded gentleman in his mid 40s. For the second time that day the blood drained from my face as I thought about my company for the morning. He had just disappeared from the room where we had been. I don’t know who he was, but that day his message to me was don’t worry, God will take care of you. He is about a good work in you and your husband. It is going to be okay. I weep even as I write this because this message has been profound through out our life and ministry.
Had I seen an angel? I would not swear to it, but if I did mine looks like he is in his mid 40s and is baldheaded at least in that moment and he dilivid a message of hope for this young pastor’s wife that I hold on to even today.