Bible Reading: Exodus 7; Job 24; Luke10; 1 Corinthians 11
Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
When Jesus sent the seventy out to preach, he gave them power over unclean spirits and disease. He told them to preach that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto them. As they went out they went out with the provision, protection, proclamation and power of Jesus. In their proclamation, when they spoke and people heard their message the people were hearing the words of Jesus. This is the authority of an ambassador. Do you think that way when you share the good news of Jesus with someone? Do you understand that you are sent with the authority to preach the gospel and take the very word of the king to the people?
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The apostle Paul understood this ambassador ministry well:
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Paul understood his preaching as in the stead of Christ and as God was speaking through him. When you go in the power of Jesus and speak the truth of Jesus, you are a spokesman for God himself. When people despise you and your message, they are despising Jesus and when they despise Jesus they are despising God. The ambassador fully represents him that sent him. If they receive the ambassador, they receive Jesus Christ. If they reject the ambassador, they reject Jesus Christ. For this reason, the Bible tells us:
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
An oracle is an utterance of God. If you speak, speak the Word of God so that God receives all the glory. Will you take the ambassador calling seriously? When you do you don't have to fear rejection because they are not rejecting you. When people listen they are not listening to you, but to Jesus Christ so that he receives all the glory!
In Christ,
Rody
