2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NIV)
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as
though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s
behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to
be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This last October I was driving down the street and saw a
giant gorilla doll.
This six-foot doll was placed out in front of a party store in our neighborhood. You know, this is the kind of store that rents costumes and all kinds of party paraphernalia for birthdays, anniversaries and holiday events throughout the year.
As I was passing by, I thought to myself, the owners of that store better watch out or someone is going to steal that gorilla. A gorilla like that would look good in a college dorm or a fraternity house.
I was just about past the store when the doll turned and waved at me!
Before I knew what I was doing, in shock, I waved back. That's when I realized that this particular gorilla wasn't a stuffed doll or robot. There was a real, live person inside that suit. The gorilla was a living advertisement for the party store. Although I get impressed easily, this was a pretty impressive thing.
Has it ever occurred to you that we are to be living advertisements for the Savior?
Now, I know some folks might object to the word "advertise" when it's used that way. If you are among those who feel that way, let me share that this word "advertise" originally meant "to turn toward." So, in its purest form, we are advertising or turning people toward Jesus.
That's something we -- and the rest of God's people -- should never be ashamed to do.
Read through Scripture and you will find many others who were God's living advertisements.
* Moses advertised the Messiah when he, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, had foretold that the Savior, as He died for us, would have none of His bones broken (see Exodus 12:46; John 19:36).
* Suffering Job taught us all to cling to the promise that Jesus would be a Redeemer, the One who would, at the cost of His life, give us eternal life (see Job 19:25-27; Galatians 4:4).
* King David was a living advertisement to the Lord's resurrection when he wrote that God's Son would not, in death, see decay (see Psalm 16:8-10; Acts 2:27).
* Hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Isaiah served as a living advertisement when He shared that the Shepherd would die for His sheep (see Isaiah 40:10-11; John 10:11). Of course, Isaiah went much further than that. He also wrote that Jesus would be scourged and spat upon (see Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67); rejected by His people (see Isaiah 52:13; Mark 15:3-4); that He would be silent when He was accused (see Isaiah 53:7; Mark 15:3); and that He would be crucified with criminals (see Isaiah 53:12; John 12:37-38).
The Old Testament is filled with living advertisements to Jesus. But so is the New Testament. From John the Baptist to John the apostle and evangelist, God has raised up people to point others to the Savior.
It is no different today as the Lord has raised us up to direct a lost world to the blood-bought forgiveness which is theirs because of the Savior. It is no different as the Lord has asked us to be His Son's living advertisers.
This six-foot doll was placed out in front of a party store in our neighborhood. You know, this is the kind of store that rents costumes and all kinds of party paraphernalia for birthdays, anniversaries and holiday events throughout the year.
As I was passing by, I thought to myself, the owners of that store better watch out or someone is going to steal that gorilla. A gorilla like that would look good in a college dorm or a fraternity house.
I was just about past the store when the doll turned and waved at me!
Before I knew what I was doing, in shock, I waved back. That's when I realized that this particular gorilla wasn't a stuffed doll or robot. There was a real, live person inside that suit. The gorilla was a living advertisement for the party store. Although I get impressed easily, this was a pretty impressive thing.
Has it ever occurred to you that we are to be living advertisements for the Savior?
Now, I know some folks might object to the word "advertise" when it's used that way. If you are among those who feel that way, let me share that this word "advertise" originally meant "to turn toward." So, in its purest form, we are advertising or turning people toward Jesus.
That's something we -- and the rest of God's people -- should never be ashamed to do.
Read through Scripture and you will find many others who were God's living advertisements.
* Moses advertised the Messiah when he, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, had foretold that the Savior, as He died for us, would have none of His bones broken (see Exodus 12:46; John 19:36).
* Suffering Job taught us all to cling to the promise that Jesus would be a Redeemer, the One who would, at the cost of His life, give us eternal life (see Job 19:25-27; Galatians 4:4).
* King David was a living advertisement to the Lord's resurrection when he wrote that God's Son would not, in death, see decay (see Psalm 16:8-10; Acts 2:27).
* Hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Isaiah served as a living advertisement when He shared that the Shepherd would die for His sheep (see Isaiah 40:10-11; John 10:11). Of course, Isaiah went much further than that. He also wrote that Jesus would be scourged and spat upon (see Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67); rejected by His people (see Isaiah 52:13; Mark 15:3-4); that He would be silent when He was accused (see Isaiah 53:7; Mark 15:3); and that He would be crucified with criminals (see Isaiah 53:12; John 12:37-38).
The Old Testament is filled with living advertisements to Jesus. But so is the New Testament. From John the Baptist to John the apostle and evangelist, God has raised up people to point others to the Savior.
It is no different today as the Lord has raised us up to direct a lost world to the blood-bought forgiveness which is theirs because of the Savior. It is no different as the Lord has asked us to be His Son's living advertisers.
Thought for today:
Is my life an advertisement?
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