Today is the Feast Day of St. Michael and All Angels. St. Michael the Archangel is mentioned in the book of Daniel, Jude, and the Revelation to St. John. Many Churches celebrate this feast day and Zion is going to observe it on Sunday, October 1st. Why should we meditate on the work of St. Michael and All Angels? What's the point of preaching and singing about the angels? Well, one way that can help us in our meditation is to know that St. Michael is the patron saint of the dying. 

St. Michael is the patron saint of the dying. His name means, "Who is like God." St. Michael defends those who are dying from the terror of the devil, the guilt of the world, the burden of sin, and the fear of death. How does he do this? Well, the Revelation to St. John says, " And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11).  St. Michael conquers the devil, sin, death, and the world, not by his own authority, but rather by proclaiming the work of Jesus the Christ. He conquered the devil by the blood of Jesus. He caste the Satan out of paradise by shouting out the work of the Son of God who would become man and die for the sins of all mankind on the cross. St. Michael is the patron saint of the dying because he proclaims the same message he defends the saints of God with the same message by which he caste Satan out of heaven. 

My friends, St. Michael the Archangel continues to do his work today, as well as all the angels of God. That word angel is a Greek word that means messenger. So, the comfort we have in this life, is that the angels are continuously proclaiming the work of Jesus and fighting for us against the devil and his demons. In addition to this, you are sent special angels in the person of your pastor, your called messenger, who comes and preaches the same thing that St. Michael and all the angels preach, which is that you are forgiven by the blood of the Lamb and destined for eternal life in the wounds of Jesus the Christ. When you are dying, St. Michael doesn't point to your good works or progressed sanctification to send the devil packing, nor does your pastor come in and point you to your good life led in order to comfort you in your fear of death and dying. No. St. Michael proclaims the blood of Jesus and your pastor does the same thing in the face of death and the demons that preach fear into your heart. Just as St. Michael spears that ancient dragon and slays him for you, so your pastor slays sin and the Old Adam for you in the preaching of the forgiveness of your sins that comes to you by the grace of Jesus. Take heart my friends. St. Michael and all the angels guard and keep watch over you, and your pastor is here to remind you of this and to forgive you in the Name of Jesus and cover you in the blood of the Lamb unto eternal life. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull