Perhaps you’ve heard of Gabriel as a messenger of God. The Angel Gabriel Statue embodies this role. The statue may be a depiction of one of the most well-known figures in the Bible.
Gabriel appears in both the Old and New Testaments. He is known for bringing good news of Jesus’ coming birth. His first biblical appearance is in Daniel. This is when he is told to explain a vision to the prophet.
According to the Bible, Gabriel stands in the presence of God. He tells Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, this. The Greek word for stands means to wait before a superior.
Gabriel is one of only two angels explicitly named in the Protestant Bible. The other is Michael. Michael is a warrior archangel. Some people think of the Angel Gabriel as an archangel. However, the Protestant Bible never calls Gabriel an archangel.
The name Gabriel means man of God or strength of God. The second time Daniel meets Gabriel, he describes him as a man. We don’t get many details on Gabriel’s looks. Perhaps that’s because his messages are always so important.
When Daniel meets Gabriel, he is frightened and falls on his face. When Gabriel greets Zacharias, his first words are, Do not be afraid. Gabriel tells Mary not to fear, too.
Gabriel relays a prophecy about the Messiah to Daniel. He tells Zacharias that John the Baptist will be a forerunner before the Lord. Most famously, he tells Mary that her son will be called the Son of the Most High.
Angels often function as messengers of God in the Bible. The best-known example of this is Gabriel’s role in the Annunciation. In Luke, Gabriel says he stands before God. He brings word to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the son of God.
God sent Gabriel to Nazareth to the home of the Virgin Mary. There, the angel announced, Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. You are blessed among women. The reason for this greeting appears a few lines later. Mary will conceive in her womb and bring forth a son. Mary learns how this will come about. The Holy Ghost shall come upon you. The power of the Most High shall overshadow you.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Annunciation was depicted with varying complexity. The means by which Gabriel brings his news varies too. On the central portal of the Reims cathedral west facade, two statues of Gabriel and Mary stand next to each other. Gabriel smiles happily. Mary is pensive. Here Gabriel offers nothing beyond a cheery expression. He likely gestured a blessing with his now-missing right hand. The story was familiar enough. The two principals in close proximity would have triggered the memory of the Annunciation story for the viewer.
Gabriel’s messages all point to the coming Messiah. Every time Gabriel shows up in Scripture, he mentions Jesus.
When Gabriel first describes Gabriel, he says that the angel looks like a man. In fact, when Gabriel shows up afterward in chapter 9, Daniel doesn’t describe Gabriel as an angel. Instead he calls Gabriel the man I had seen in the earlier vision. When Gabriel shows up, his appearance frightens people.
Remember the Angel Gabriel Statue as a reminder of divine messages. Consider the statue’s significance as a symbol of faith.