As I recall it, about the only time there was any mention of angels in church when I was growing up was at Christmas time, at the end of Jesus’ temptation, and lastly at Easter and Ascension. There wasn’t much said about them. I don’t remember anybody discussing the Archangel Michael at all.

The whole subject of angels and Michael seems to have become an interest in Judaism in the centuries just before the time of Jesus. Christianity picked up the Jewish traditions about Michael, but he is only mentioned twice in the New Testament. In Revelation 12:7 Michael appears as the leader of the good angels who are battling against Satan and his angels. And then there is a mention in Jude 9 about Michael arguing with the Devil about the body of Moses. I’ve never been able to make sense out of that one. I understand why they didn’t talk about Michael in my church. Nobody knew what to say.

The exact nature of angels and the role of Michael has been discussed for centuries in Christianity. There are whole books about angels. I don’t know what to say about them other than they are mentioned in scripture without a lot of explanation. God knows exactly what they are and their function. I think I’ll confine my observations  to the last two lines of Luther’s evening prayer: “Into your hands I commend myself, my body, my soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

Read Revelation 12:7-10 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne