The Bible gives us a clear account of what Jesus' followers felt and saw when their Lord was crucified. Countless films have endeavored to capture the Crucifixion of Christ from His Mother's perspective and the prespective of His Disciples. But there is another crowd that peaks my curiosity, an assembly of angels who watched in horror as God, their Creator was chastised and crucified.
What did the host of angels think as they watched Son of God be scourged by the Romans? How did they feel when Christ carried His cross and fell numerous times? Did they want to fly and help Him rise? Did they weep to see the King of Universe so dejected, so humiliated, and so hated? IT is likely the angels were aware of the divine plan of salvation; that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had made known to them the salvic suffering Jesus would have to endure to save man from sin. But being prepared for the moment as everyone knows does not quite satiate the emotions of the moment. After all, in the agony of Christ's sufferings, the Apostles forgot that Jesus said, "The Son of Man shall be handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified. On the third day he shall rise again!" (Matthew 20:19). Do angels have emotions? Honestly we don't know, but because Mankind and all living things on Earth like the Animals do have feelings and that our divine Creator has feelings; it is likely they do.
I can imagine that the angels standing by were a mix. One group waiting to spring into action at the Savior's behest. Another group standing idle, aware of the plan and knowing there charge is not to interfere with Christ's commission. Then I think of the weeping and wailing seraphs who watch in horror as the Holy One is hoisted up on the cross and pierced. I can imagine Satan and his fallen ones taunting the faithful angels with his first raised up in triumph. The whole scene thought impossible to prove it happened and likely that the angels being completely obedient did not react differently, but watched and doing their duty.
I just can't shake the image of the angels watching the Almighty One suffer the cat of nine-tails and carrying the cross. The shock of seeing the Son be severely scourged and scoffed. I know they were probably briefed and prepared and we have not proof they had any emotion over it, but the idea of this scene that cannot be proved helps me appreciate just how big a deal Jesus' death was. That we know God laid down his life to save us from eternal damnation and suffering; but the thought of God, the One who makes all things, breaths life into all things, governs everything in Universe and on Earth, came and died for His creation. This is an impact there that should be felt: God died for us. He rose again on the Third Day, but He suffered and perished for us! This deserves an ample amount of reflection.
Yes wow, I have had visions of this very thing. I believe the angels clung to his body as he died, weeping and begging him to let them take him from the cross and destroy those who were murdering and mocking him. But Jesus refused to let them. His stubborn love for us kept him there.
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