Proverbs 25.13
“Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.”
In the ancient Near East, there was no internet. No email. No texting. No FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. Communication over distances depended on human messengers. Business transactions, political decisions, military strategies, as well as personal communication … all depended on the reliability of those who were commissioned to carry the message.
Thus, a faithful messenger is like snow in the time of harvest. Harvest would be difficult work, and on a hot day it would be even more difficult. Snow would bring cool relief. Such is the impact of a faithful messenger to the person who sends him.
For the followers of Jesus, what immediately comes to mind is that we are the Lord’s messengers to the world. The Lord works in and through his people to communicate the good news of the gospel. The apostle Paul says exactly this in 2 Corinthians 5.20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
Our role and responsibility as messengers sent into the world by Jesus is clearly described in Matthew 28.18-20, a passage often referred to as “The Great Commission.”
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18-20)
What an incredible calling! The Lord commissions and sends us into the world, and he entrusts us with the responsibility of sharing the gospel to a world in need.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6.8)
