Unexpected Messengers

by Pastor Dan Chun

Matthew 3:1-5

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”

It’s somewhat funny. Contemporary people might think John the Baptist is weird when reading this passage. He is a voice crying out in the wilderness. He dresses differently. His diet is bizarre, and we might even gag just thinking about eating locusts (I hope they were dead before he ate them). Prophets are different.

But if you think about it, some people who have wise words for us and point us to Jesus as the Prince of Peace are not what people might expect.         

Here are the people God used to speak to me this last month to share His wisdom:

           • An elderly Jesuit priest

           • A woman in England who I don’t know well but texts me an encouraging word.

           • Two construction guys sitting on a curb

           • A candidate walking by who just won a Hawai’i election.          

They weren’t wearing camel hair or eating locusts. Still, they were totally unexpected sources of God’s messages to me – words of hope and encouragement.           

Use discernment, and be open to how the Prince of Peace might talk to you. It might be through a song, a line in a book, or even two construction guys eating and sitting on a curb. He’s continuously transmitting His love, but we need to tune our receivers.

Reflection:

• Think back to last week. What or who did God use to speak to you?

• How can you be a messenger of God’s peace this week?