Hello,
There’s a Jamaican riddle about the coconut, “sen bwoi fi call docta; docta come before Di bwoi”. It may seem like the boy was not doing his job. But the one who picks the nut from the coconut tree usually gets back down AFTER the coconut (docta) has fallen. Let’s consider the implications of the messenger in today’s Holy Nougat
““Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Malachi 3:1 NLT
The life of John the Baptist is often given scant attention. And it is understandable. He was not the Messiah. His job was only to set the stage for Jesus’ arrival. In fact, some of his disciples allegedly defected to Jesus the moment they met Him! He had moments of shattered confidence and broken dreams; but still he persevered.
And it seemed he got nary a ‘thank you’ for his witness.
Yet, his life merited prophetic decrees and his ministry posed a serious threat to at least one ruler in his day. Enough of a threat to cost him his life! Obviously his ministry brought added value to the fulfillment of God’s Work.
But let’s think about the prophetic word in context for a bit. What if that prophecy about the messenger referred to us – not only John the Baptist? Just suppose that we are each called to prepare the way before Christ returns. Are we ready for that? If the Messaiah were to suddenly appear (and there are several signs which are congruent with prophetic words about His return), would we be caught working or napping? Seriously.
These are not intended as judgement of you and your witness – I also need to take stock of my own work and witness! But it’s a bit unsettling eh. To think that God desires us to be ambassadors of Heaven and to be witnesses of what; rather Who, is to come. And, prophecy or not, God asks that of us – to present (prepare) the way until Christ returns.
Time for me to shift gears and focus. As you are led, you may do likewise.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
