Headline News
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 NASB
Preach the word – “Hark, the herald angels sing.” You can sing it (we all do) but can you live it? You know the carol, but have you ever reflected on the odd words, “hark” and “herald.” They might have been in common usage when the song was written, but they seem out of place today. That’s unfortunate since “to herald” is the meaning of the Greek verb Paul choose here – kerysso. We can fill in a lot of the nuances of this word by looking at its history.
Since politics and religion were virtually one and the same in ancient Greece (you might wonder how we ever came to the place of deliberately separating them), the herald was most often a court official and enjoyed royal protection, much like a contemporary ambassador. A Greek herald was an emissary not only of the state but also of the gods. He offered prayers, pronounced divine blessings and attempted to awaken the divine spark within men.
The “herald” in the New Testament is strikingly different. First, it is conspicuously absent from general use. The word occurs only three times. This should cause us to reconsider the emphasis we put on the role of the preacher. Why is it that the New Testament authors paid so little attention to the “herald” while we place so much prominence on these people? Friedrich suggests two possibilities: the New Testament focuses on the message rather than the messenger, and New Testament preachers were not figures in the sacral system, protected by divine edict. Rather, they were ordinary men and women in the community, servants of the true Messenger, the King of kings. Those who proclaim the message of the Messiah emphasize the need for forgiveness and the grace and gift of God. They do not appeal to Man’s inner divinity nor his sense of moral worth. They proclaim God’s goodness in spite of Man’s moral failures. Most importantly, they are just like us. There is no official hierarchy within the believing community. The title “Preacher” doesn’t fit.
Secondly, “to preach the word” involves a great deal more than verbal proclamation. Friedrich says, “The NT uses many words for the proclaiming of the Christian message, e.g. legein, lalein, martyrein, didaskein. It is a mistake simply to render such terms, and keryssen itself, by ‘to preach.’” He notes that “fundamentally keryssen is the declaration of an event.” [1] It seems that the delivery of a twenty-minute sermon was not what Paul had in mind at all! Paul is exhorting Timothy to be a witness to the event of Yeshua’s vindication. How will he do this, especially since he was not present at the resurrection? He will do this by living according to Yeshua’s instructions. Timothy is a herald by the way he behaves, not by his delivery of eloquent speeches. If Paul wanted preachers, there are many other words he could have chosen to make his point, words that have much greater frequency in the New Testament. But Paul was a Jewish rabbi. He knew that word meant nothing without the witness of behavior. Paul would have agreed with St. Francis. “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
“Hark, the herald angels sing.” Is that what you are doing? Are you heralding the King?
Topical Index: herald, kerysso, preach, 2 Timothy 4:1-2
[1] Friedrich, kerysso, TDNT Abridged, p. 432.
Perhaps this might be better understood by “proclaim the word”. We (as in all of us who are His) are proclaimers. We (all who belong to Him) are as you have said brother Skip, “heralds of the King.”
I don’t know whether to share this or not, for it will be a “let down” for some butt for those who wish to hear the truth this was quite a shock!- Angels do not sing! “Hark the herald angels sing” is not theologically correct! The crowd of angels present on that glorious day were “praising G-d and saying..” (am I splitting hairs?) No!- for we (you with the singing voice!) are the herald angels- for the word “angel” is “messenger!” (Yes, words do have meaning, don’t they!)
Good morning brothers and sisters- angels! We all have a message to share with this world- let us tell it then- “The promised Messiah has come.” Let us join with John the Baptizer and proclaim to all who have ears to hear it- “Behold the Lamb!” This dear friends is the central theme or message or word of G-d’s word: “Behold the Lamb!” -The Lamb from G-d who takes away the sins of the world.
Jewish sins? Are Jews “sinners?” Yes. Gentile sins? Are Gentiles sinners? (oy)- Yes. The word of the LORD, G-d’s Word, the living, authoritative, active, life-giving, life-sustaining word of G-d says, according to tHis book: “all have sinned and fallen short of (to miss the mark) the glory of G-d.” (Romans 3.23) None of us (not even Nicodemus!) measure up to G-d’s standard of perfection. – Not my standard, not your standard- His standard- the only Perfect ONE who ever lived- the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach- He is the Standard, the Second Adam, the (only) sinless, spotless, stainless, perfect Lamb.
“Now we know that whatsoever things the Torah says, it says to them who are under the Torah: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before G-d.” Does this include the Jew? Most assuredly. Does this include the Gentile? Absolutely, Positively. “that all the world may become guilty” before the thrice-holy G-d. So Carl..- how do your plead? – “Guilty your honor.” I am (it matters not how I got here)- I am a (gasp!) sinner. Everyone- run!- He’s a sinner! You won’t have far to go to recognize and realize- so are you. “all have sinned” can only mean “all have sinned!”- Mother Theresa,Billy Graham, and Martha Stewart (?) included. We (all) need a Savior. A Redeemer. A Deliverer.
Time for some good news- wouldn’t you say? Enter Christ. If ever there were a cataclysmic event in the history of the universes, it was when G-d “humbled Himself” and became a man.
Is this hard for you to believe? Good. I’m glad to hear it. This absolutely “pops the cork!” I (too) am amazed. And not only to become human (just like you and me), but to live a perfect, sinless life- How did He do it? and friends- did the virgin birth have anything to do with it?- Yes, very much so. No virgin birth- no sinless sacrifice. No sinless sacrifice- no atonement, and no redemption- no hope.
But this was G-d’s plan and G-d’s purpose from “in the beginning.” For before Abraham was- “I AM” was! (this makes sense -or does it?) -lol!
Yes, why did G-d become a man? Or did He? Did He live a perfect live, this carpenter’s son and was He who He claimed to be?
Shall we also consider the cross? Or shall we turn (as it were) our faces from Him and look the other way- look somewhere else for salvation, for deliverance, for sustenance, for security. Culture? Community? Creation? Companionship? or shall we look to our toys, our trinkets we call treasures? Look anywhere you wish, but don’t look to Him for this Man is so much more than a man- this is the son of man and Son of G-d. This is the King of the Jews- according to “it is written”- the Jews require a sign ..- How about-a sign above the crown of thorns that reads (in three known languages) “this is Jesus, King of the Jews”. – would that be sufficient? -It is a wonder.
Pilate missed the message too. “What is Truth” Pilate asked- when “Truth” was standing right in front of him! (and we are witnesses of these things..).
Friends- “every knee shall bow” -does this include Jewish knees? Gentile knees? Educated knees? Foolish knees? English knees? Female knees? Ancient knees? – My knees? – Yes, -“every knee.”
Today, I will bow the knee. I will go to the place of blessing. (ever) looking unto Yeshua- the Author and the Completer of my faith. I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary- to view the cross where Yeshua gave His life’s blood for even me. “Greater love has no one than this, that ONE lay down His life for His friends.” (John 15.13). There is no greater Love than Calvary’s Love. “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1.18,19)
Once again proclaim the glorious message, herald the good news..- “Behold the Lamb..” “For I am not ashamed of the good news of Christ, for it is the power of G-d for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1.16)
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
“Those who proclaim the message of the Messiah emphasize the need for forgiveness and the grace and gift of God.”
I found the message above to be a very practical one with my daughter the other day
After having caused a serious “falling out” with her mother
I told her, from experience, that she needed to forgive what was said and done
To let go of her anger and to focus on forgiveness
Unless she wanted to make herself and the rest of us very miserable
Good morning Michael,
“I told her, from experience, that she needed to forgive what was said and done
To let go of her anger and to focus on forgiveness
Unless she wanted to make herself and the rest of us very miserable…”
HAVE YOU ALWAYS PRACTICED THE ABOVE??? IT IS SO MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A LOT OF HURT, ANGER & WOUNDEDNESS IN THE SITUATION – I AM NOT SAYING WHAT YOU CONVEYED/EXPRESSED TO YOUR DAUGHTER IS NOT THE TRUTH OR CORRECT BUT PERHAPS YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE HUMBLE & OPEN/HONEST & TRANSPARENT WITH HER/YOUR DAUGHTER/SINEAD/JANE – A LITTLE MORE UNDERSTANDING & TENDER WITH HER INCLUDING HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HER & DON’T WANT HER TO SUFFER A LIFE WITH A ROOT OF BITTERNESS – THAT YOU WANT HER TO HAVE JOY & FREEDOM TO LOVE AGAIN… PERHAPS YOU COULD HAVE EVEN PRAYED WITH HER & LET HER KNOW THAT EVEN YOU HAVE CHANGED WITH GOD’S LOVING TENDERNESS – LEAD BY EXAMPLE & SHOW HER THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER MISERABLE YOURSELF… ♥
AND YOU MAY HAVE DONE THE ABOVE… ♥
Proverbs 25:15
Amplified Bible (AMP)
15By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.
jan
HAVE YOU ALWAYS PRACTICED THE ABOVE???
Hi Jan,
That’s a good question, I’m sure the answer is no
But I was not angry with my wife or daughter for what happened
I was afraid and I let my daughter know how much I loved her and how afraid I was
Regarding the Proverb, I was having a very difficult time remaining calm in spirit, to say the least
But my wife told me the next day that what I said had a positive effect and she was grateful
HAVE YOU ALWAYS PRACTICED THE ABOVE???
Regarding forgiving others, I tend to express my anger openly, which is not a great quality
But I do not “hold on” to my anger and not forgive others
Michael, i get so confused with your comments/post sometimes – i thought you said you were divorced & only your daughter lived with you & that you wife had been led astray by musicians & you were no longer married – not that it makes any difference but i may be more careful in how i respond to you in the future – knowing now that you are married instead of not married?!?!?!
fear manifests in anger most of the time for human beings – it does for me sometimes too & i do not stuff anger or negative feelings – i express them & go on – do not hold on to them – never have had a problem with that unless of course it may change my outlook toward another person which can be wisdom also…
well hopefully your daughter & wife or ex-wife are seeing lots of positive changes in you…
to God’s glory 4 sure… ♥
jan
“i thought you said you were divorced & only your daughter lived with you & that you wife had been led astray by musicians & you were no longer married”
Hi Jan,
Well please feel free to respond as you like, my wife and I are in the process of divorce 🙂
My wife lives with our two children and I live alone with my dog Max (“a 3 year old”)
My wife would probably be more attracted to a mathematician than a musician
And she works about 10 hours a day, so with two kids
There is not much time for musicians 🙂
BTW my first wife was attracted to life in the fast lane, back in 1968… 🙂
Michael, i guess i need to get my stories straight – the first wife was probably the one i was thinking about you talking/typing about & did not know about the second wife or the divorce –
my question is this – i need to some advice about Northern California & transportation: i am flying into SFO on the morning of 10.20.2011 & need to get to Sunnyvale to my hotel. Cab fare is around $77 to $100 one way so i really don’t want to spend $200 round-trip on cab fare to get to Sunnyvale/Juniper Networks/Global Forum on Human Trafficking – so have planned to take the train – walking from the airport to the train station (CalTrain) about a 30 min walk & will take about an hour or two to get to Sunnyvale from SFO –
do i remember you wrote/typed you lived in Milpitas & worked in Silicon Valley – what would you suggest in transportation in getting from SFO airport to Sunnyvale???
please advise quickly may be looking for shuttle services also…
jan
should have flown into SJC/airport but could fly direct from OKC to SFO – no changing aircraft no landing just straight through…
Love the St. Francis quote!
“Hark the herald angels sing” is continued . . . “glory to the newborn King.”
And if people everstopped and thought about the word “King”, they’d realize that the essence of a king is the one who makes the rules. Christ the King – Torah. As the old song went about love and marriage, “you can’t have one without the other.” And when you attempt to choose between Christ as King on the one hand, and the Torah on the other, you actually give up both.
All or nothing. That’s the choice.
“He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called the Word of G-d.” (Revelation 19.12,13).
Shalom Skip,
Good word-to walk the talk is the only way to ABBA’s delight, thank you.
Al glory to our Father and King. “How great You art. Thank You Abba Father for Y’shua Your beloved Son. Wow, can man ever comprehend Your love. Thank You Abba Father for His blood that washes away ALL our iniquities and seal us off for the great day of final salvation and peace! We worship You.” And the Spirit and the Bride cry out: “come Y’shua come quickly – we miss you soo much!”