“No one ever spoke the way this man does."
Have you ever had that reaction? Who was that public speaker who had you hanging on his every word? After whose speech did you take a deep breath and to yourself say, “amazing!”
For me it was Rear Admiral Barry C. Black. (Ret.) He was elected the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate and began working there on July 7, 2003. Prior to coming to Capitol Hill, Chaplain Black served in the U.S. Navy for over twenty-seven years, ending his distinguished career as the Chief of Navy Chaplains.
As Rear Admiral, his personal decorations included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two medals), Meritorious Service Medals (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (two awards), and numerous unit awards, campaign, and service medals.
I heard him give a message on Psalm 137, which begins “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps . . .” His theme was “Don’t Hang It Up!” He is quite a gifted speaker. If you have heard him, I’m sure he would make an impression on you. I had never heard anyone speak like him before.
Perhaps you have your own story to tell of a gifted speaker. But in the seventh chapter of John’s gospel, it was a group of security officers who noted similar amazement at the speaking ability of a young, Jewish itinerant preacher.
The religious leaders sent off this small group of security guards to go bring this religious rabble-rouser (in their view) in for questioning. Yeah, how would you like that job!? During one of the three big religious feasts, with huge crowds, bring a popular speaker in for questioning to the authoritative and censoring religious ultra-conservatives! Good luck!
It didn’t happen either. This popular religious teacher was wowing crowds with deep messages about he himself being the source of living water. The masses thought he was the special Prophet that Moses had spoken of. Others thought he was the Messiah promised throughout the Old Testament. As controversy swirled around the man about just how great he was, this wary security group was supposed to slap the cuffs on him and take him “downtown.” Not likely.
“Finally, the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why didn’t you bring him in?’”
“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared.”
That motley crew of rent-a-cops spoke the truth. The world had never heard the likes of Jesus Christ before. He was sharing a teaching that was new, radical, and liberating. Jesus was telling people of a bright future and a meaningful present based upon God’s love and forgiveness, rather than human-added rule upon rule.
What is most meaningful and beneficial to us is that we still hear him. Through Jesus’ teachings in the Bible, you are enabled to continue to hear the voice of the most amazing public speaker in history. As those guards said, “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” Treasure his words. Take them to heart. Take them past mere hearing to implement them into your life. Don’t just hear the words of forgiveness, let them blossom and overflow into thankfulness to the Savior who has taken away your guilt and made you right with God.
Prayer idea: Ask God for new avenues to express your thanksgiving to the God who has given you everything.
Have a blessed week!
--Pastor Dan