UNDERCOVER ANGEL

2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13

“When Hushai arrived, Absalom told him what Ahithophel had said. Then he asked, ‘What is your opinion? Should we follow Ahithophel’s advice? If not, what do you suggest?’  ‘Well,’ Hushai replied to Absalom, ‘this time Ahithophel has made a mistake.’”

“Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.”

The most important servant of God is not always the most visible. Sometimes, in fact, the most effective disciple is the least obvious. The Holy Spirit has a special place in Paradise for those willing to serve Him without fanfare and without acknowledgement. Those “undercover angels” usually have the best chance of getting close to others. Precisely because their faith is manifested mainly by quiet confidence and behind-the-scenes service, they usually “fly under the radar” and represent Christ in a uniquely personal way to those who would not accept Him or any aspect of grace otherwise.

For over twenty years, I have watched my wife represent Christ and minister to others in simple, humble service most never see, let alone appreciate. One of her passions has been bereavement ministry. Her call is to serve those in mourning by providing their family a meal or a small reception after the funeral. Those outside the family usually don’t even consider the impact her efforts have, but time and again, she serves as a very tangible reminder that those who mourn will be comforted.  

The last three years, she also has been an integral part of our Medical Mission Team to Guatemala, but she provides absolutely nothing to the locals. Unless healthy doctors and nurses count. Her chosen role is to run the kitchen and keep the more obvious missionaries fed amidst some pretty challenging sanitary and other conditions. It’s a ministry literally months in the planning, and it gets no headlines. But the Lord knows, and smiles.

One Thursday a month, she also gets together with yet another team and leads them in serving lunch to some of the older, “pillars” of our church. Much more than just a nice thing to do, her service is a literal tribute to their faithfulness and spiritual foresight and example in leading and growing our church into what it has become. More important, she just adores those she serves, and they adore her. None are complete that week if they have not been together for this very special meal.

Is any of this really any big deal? My wife would say not, if asked. It’s just what she does. Anyone could do it, if they put their mind to it. But not everyone does, and that is the real rest of the story. When my wife serves as Christ’s agent-in-place, she has opportunities to minister the rest of us don’t get. She makes friends for Jesus, not converts. (Jesus takes care of the “converts” part.) David understood the need for undercover angels. Joseph of Arimathea recognized the importance of his special, unheralded role to the Son of God. The Holy Spirit sees what is done in secret, and rewards it. Just maybe, I, too, could be more effective for Christ if I was a little less interested in headlines and recognition. I’ve been living with a saint for over twenty years, one who re-presents Christ to me on a daily basis. You’d have though I’d have figured this out sooner....