Pastor Dan recently exhorted us to good works as he taught from Titus 3:8. This included serving, loving, and reaching out to others in our family, church, and community. My family has been the recipient of much love and support this week and it’s been such a blessing and encouragement. 

Did you know that Jesus needed to be served and encouraged too? Have you ever read a passage of Scripture that you’ve breezed through before, but when you read it again, it made you stop, consider, and worship? Matthew 4:11 did that to me recently as I considered the angels that ministered to Jesus after He was tempted in the wilderness. 

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

How many angels were there? Which ones were selected for the task? What were their names? How long did they stay? What was the conversation like? How exactly did they minister to Him? 

We don’t have the answer to these questions, but what struck me is that the Father knew His Son needed help and encouragement. There are many times that we have opportunities to either encourage or be encouraged by others. Whether He sends us, sends an angel, or sends a fellow brother and sister in Christ, God knows and sees and sends His servants out to minister to others in His perfect timing. 

The Greek word for ministering in Matthew 4:11 is diakoneó (phonetically dee-ak-on-eh’-o), and it means caring for the needs of others as the Lord leads in an active, practical way. The angels actively and practically helped Jesus. When someone says, “you’re an angel” they typically mean you have actively and practically helped them. 

There have been many people who have encouraged me along my spiritual journey, and I’ve seen so many encouraged by others. This reminds me of Paul writing to Philemon 1:7: 

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

How many times have you been encouraged and refreshed by others? Stop and praise God for the “angels” that have served you, and then seek out someone that you can encourage and serve today or this week.