after the reading from the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” so paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
“men of israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. and after destroying seven nations in the land of canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. all this took about 450 years. and after that he gave them judges until samuel the prophet. [acts 13:15-20]
ready and waiting.
therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [2 corinthians 5:20]
do you see yourself as an ambassador? not someone who floats through life, reacting to all of the events and people you come into contact with, but someone who has given the very real and specific mission of reconciling people to God through the message of a crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ?
paul and barnabus here sit waiting, ready to spring into action, they are expectant that their presence and ambassadorship will create opportunities to speak the name of Jesus to the unbelieving–
so here you sit, an an ambassador. you are an ambassador to starbucks, to the grocery store, to your neighbors, your school, your sports team, your gym–you have been specifically, sovereignly designated an ambassador to these places, and as you walk in, you are not there primarily to buy coffee, groceries, to be a ‘nice’ neighbor, a ‘good’ student or an outstanding athlete, or to simply work out–you are there primarily as an ambassador of the Creator of the univers: God has assigned you a task: to proclaim Jesus Christ!
as you sit in the presence of God today, plead with your Father to fit you for his service–to give you boldness to speak, to be expectant to share the hope within you, to fill you with his Holy Spirit so that you might proclaim the ‘word of encouragement for the people’– that God has made a way to be reconciled to him, through his Son, Jesus!
but even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. [1 peter 3:14-16]
amen!
~ce