Have you been a messenger? Have you been part of an advanced party to set up for the main party’s arrival? Have you been entrusted with preparing the way for someone else? If so, did it turn out to be more work than you thought?
We prepare in advance for many different events. We may prepare for a birthday party in advance—blowing up balloons, baking a cake, putting frilly tablecloth on the table, setting up extra tables and chairs, and making the food for everyone.
I remember being sent on an advance party to Korea for a deployment while still in the Marines. We arrived ahead of the main unit to prepare for their arrival. We filled sandbags, strung concertina wire, set up tents, set up radios, installed a local network for computers, and generally had an entire camp set up for them when they arrived. It was a lot of work. Once the main unit arrived, we were dissolved into it and carried out our normal tasks like everyone else.
Being the messenger that goes ahead of Jesus is no small task. I can imagine those messengers going around town telling people He was coming. They likely tried to round people up to listen to His message. The messengers knew the importance of His message and tried to get people to come to listen to Him. But not everyone would take time to listen.
We face this challenge still today. Jesus will return. But at that time, there will be no more time for messengers to prepare the way. He will be returning to reclaim His own and finish the defeat of Satan and all who follow him. Our task can appear to be daunting. It is definitely urgent. We are entrusted with a very important message—Jesus is Lord and Savior. May we take up the task of being a messenger.
I pray we all understand the importance of being a messenger. I pray we realize we are messengers for Jesus. I pray each one of us takes the task of being His messenger seriously. Be a messenger for Jesus. Tell others of His saving grace. Jesus will return to claim His own. Prepare the way for His return.
Luke 9:52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him;
Marty Pressey 