Do we make Angels Jealous?

1 Peter 1:10-12

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

This phrase has always fascinated me. Could it be possible that we have something that the angels "long" to look into? For a long time, I thought that this phrase meant that the angels were jealous of what we have - that they desired to be in our shoes. However, much study of this passage (and common sense) tells me that the angels don't want to trade places with us, they are simply compelled to look intently at the salvation that Jesus has provided for those who were once his enemies.

Angels are in the presence of God worshipping around the throne. They don't want to trade places with us. On the contrary, they are astounded that God Himself traded places with us. On a daily basis they experience first-hand the holiness of God. So they simply are in awe that this God would humble Himself to the point of death for those that disobeyed and ran away from Him.

How could we ever get tired of so great a salvation? How could we ever lose the wonder of the Gospel?

In a world where the headlines change on a daily basis, trends come and go, leaders rise and fall, businesses thrive and fail, emotions are tossed to and fro, truth gets blown around by the wind, and in a world where it's hard to be sure of anything, we cling to the timeless, steadfast and sure truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While this world chases the next big thing, we chase after the only thing that matters; our Savior.

The angels long to look at the wonder of the Gospel. Yet, so often we are more concerned about the next season of our favorite TV show. The prophets spent their lives and even gave up their lives to make sure that this message came to us. They didn't even get to experience it first-hand, nor do the angels. Yet we, who are the recipients of this salvation, often forget.

Spend some time today longing to look deeper into the salvation that was purchased for you. After all, even the angels long to look.