Prophetic Speech

One of my colleagues encouraged me to read an "Advent Blog Tour." The new Common English Bible is promoted through the devotions, which are listed at http://adventblogtour.com/. My colleague is actually writing one of the blogs; from December 1 - December 25, a different blogger writes every day. I have been amazed by the breadth of thinking and delving into Scripture that's been shown. People have shared from their own experiences, and most have wrestled deeply with the text. I have an appreciation for people who wrestle with the Biblical text, and who raise more questions, and have fewer answers.

Today's post was particularly provocative - talking about Simeon's prophecy. If you recall Simeon's conversation with Mary, he talks about what Jesus will cause (rising and falling of nations), and that a sword will pierce her own heart, too. What honesty the prophet brings!

When we preach, we should do what the blogger for the day (December 18) raises as a point. We challenge the comfortable, and comfort the challenged. I believe that statement is true. When people are used to being in their comfort zone, or are complacent, we must challenge them to enact the Gospel in their lives. For those who regularly are challenged because they live Gospeled lives, there is often a need to provide comfort, concern, and compassion.

For preaching to embody both ends of the spectrum, I believe that there is a need for the church to hear a third word: call. Each person who gathers, whether they come to worship complacent or weary from Gospel living, has a call from God for their lives. I believe that a prophetic word always points people back to their calls from God to be in ministry. God's call is both comforting and challenging, so if people are reminded of their calls, they will receive the word of challenge or compassion that they need. The prophetic word brings to the people of God a message that they need, but it starts with call.