Yesterday (September 29) was Michaelmas (otherwise known as “the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael”). I have a confession to make. Until this year, I never really paid attention to it. I never bothered to recognize it, learn more about it, or anything. I just ignored it. But, somehow, it seems that “Michaelmas” popped up on my social media feed a lot this year. So…
I figured I’d blog about it.
A little bit.
Actually, not really about Michaelmas so much as an important lesson from Michael.
However, before we get to that lesson…
What is Michaelmas? Well, it’s a Christian festival celebrated on September 29th, primarily in Western Christian traditions. It honors Michael the Archangel and, in some traditions, the archangels Gabriel and Raphael as well. It seems to have begun in the 4th century. By the 5th century, Michaelmas became a significant feast day in Western Christianity, particularly in England, Ireland, and Scotland. It also marked the end of the harvest season, and Michaelmas was traditionally associated with agricultural festivals.
The feast was significant throughout the Middle Ages, as “Saint Michael” (as recognized by the Catholic Church) was a revered figure, especially for knights and soldiers, due to his association with courage and spiritual warfare.
With the Reformation, the celebration of saints’ days diminished in some Protestant countries, but Michaelmas remained a notable day in Anglican and Catholic traditions. Hence, why I never paid much attention to it. No offense to my Catholic or Anglican friends, but Michaelmas definitely hasn’t been a Baptist thing. So, it’s never really been on my radar.
That isn’t likely to change.
And you know what?
I think Michael is just fine with that.
Based on all the references I see of Michael in the Bible, he would much prefer the focus be on the Lord rather than on him. And that leads me to the lesson.
There’s a rather strange but very interesting verse in the short epistle of Jude in which Michael has some kind of conflict with Satan over the body of Moses.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Jude 1:9, KJV
Jude, the brother of James and likely also of Jesus, wrote this epistle to warn the early Christian communities against false teachers who had infiltrated their ranks and were leading believers astray with immoral practices and heretical teachings. The letter emphasizes the need for believers to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints and to be vigilant against these corrupt influences.
The verse indicates a contention or dispute between Michael and the devil concerning the body of Moses. The nature of this dispute is not detailed in other biblical texts, which has led to much speculation and reliance on extrabiblical Jewish traditions.
According to Deuteronomy 34:5-6, Moses died in the land of Moab and was buried by God in a valley in the land of Moab, but no one knows his burial site to this day.
The Jewish tradition reflected in the pseudepigraphical text The Assumption of Moses (which the writer of Jude may be referencing) elaborates that Michael was sent to bury Moses and was opposed by the devil, who disputed Moses’ right to an honorable burial because of the sin of murder (Moses killed an Egyptian, as recounted in Exodus 2:12).
Michael, despite his high rank among the angels, refrains from going after the devil personally. Instead, he invokes the authority of the Lord to rebuke Satan, demonstrating humility and restraint. And a recognition that any power, authority, or status he (Michael) has is due to the Lord.
It’s a lesson all of us should take to heart.
None of us is as powerful or impressive as Michael. No matter how talented you are, how wealthy you might be, how handsome or beautiful, or how much “status” you have… you can’t match Michael, the archangel.
So, if Michael shows humility and restraint – and gives all his focus to the Lord.
What does that say to you and me?
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Good one Pastor.