“Messengers”
Revelation 14:6-7
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal Gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
Have you ever wondered why this Bible passage turns up every year on Reformation Sunday? I’ve been told it’s because some people saw it as a prophecy of the work of Martin Luther. God used him and others to bring the Gospel of Jesus into clear view so that millions of people might believe.
Whether that’s actually what the passage is about or not, I don’t know. But I do know that God sends messengers—”angels” is the Greek term—to tell the Gospel of Jesus to as many people as possible. And most of those messengers are human! Parents—friends—pastors—neighbors—all passing on the good news that they believe, so that others can rejoice in it, too.
And what are they saying? They are saying that God cared so much about our human race that He came Himself into our world to rescue us. They say that He became a human being, the Man Christ Jesus—and that He taught and healed and cared for people in need, until the day He allowed His enemies to arrest and torture and put Him to death on a cross. They say that He did this willingly, because this was the way that He could break the power of evil over the whole human race. And then He rose from the dead on the third day, breaking the power of death. Now everyone who trusts in Him will share God’s gifts of freedom and forgiveness and everlasting life.
That is what Jesus’ messengers say. Can you say it to someone you love, too?
We Pray:
Dear Lord, You know my weaknesses. Use me however You want to be Your messenger.
Amen.
Written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Are you nervous about talking about Jesus?
2. What might help you feel more comfortable? (LHM has resources to help. The Reluctant Witness is a great place to begin. You can find it at https://shoplhm.org/reluctant-witness-book/)
3. What tiny baby steps might you take to share this Good News with someone you love?
Today’s Bible in a Year Reading:
Jeremiah 20, 35-36; Colossians 4