Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As familiar as this verse is, it just occurred to me that Koine Greek has no punctuation. Accordingly, this verse can be read that Jesus is saying His disciples are prophets, just like the ones recorded in the Old Testament. That position is supported by most of the rest of the New Testament, actually, but the average Christian doesn’t think of themselves as a prophet. Given Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 14:1 and following, that’s probably a mistake. The devil does all he can to make us be afraid of being prophets, acting as God’s spokespeople. After all, such prophets got persecuted, often killed in various horrible ways. Jesus says here that even if that happens, we are to be glad, because our eventual reward is great. Speaking out what God is saying is a huge privilege, and one to be greatly desired, just as Paul said. However, we must never let it go to our head, because pride will steal our reward from us. The value and the glory are in the words, not in the one speaking them. Again, as Paul said, “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) That said, we must not forget that it is a treasure! We are never to take lightly the privilege of speaking for God. However, if we concoct in our own minds what we are going to say, it instantly stops being genuine prophecy. Our own thoughts and ideas are nothing, compared to what God says, even when He speaks through us. However, God’s words are “Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) We generally apply that to the Bible, which isn’t wrong, but God speaks His Word through His children, too.

I have had times when I was speaking what the Lord was saying, but then the Lord stopped talking and I didn’t. That’s an absolutely horrible feeling! In contrast, one time I was in a meeting and speaking out what the Spirit was saying, and when He stopped, I did too, even though it seemed to be in the middle of a sentence. At that moment, someone on the other side of the room picked it up at exactly that point, and the sentence was complete. Any time God speaks through me, my task is to focus on Him, not on myself, and not on the people who are listening to me. If I focus on my listeners, I end up trying to figure out how to correct their situation, whatever that might be, and that can get in the way of my hearing God. I have learned that political correctness has nothing to do with genuine prophecy. That’s one of the things that can trigger persecution! I am not to let my words hurt people needlessly, but sometimes they need a scalpel, or even a sword, to cut off what is binding them. I am never to assume that because I said it, it’s accurate prophecy from God. I’m as fallible as anyone. However, I am never to draw back from speaking or writing as the Lord directs, so that His Word may accomplish everything for which He sends it, (Isaiah 55:11) even when He sends it through me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Being Your agent is incredible, both in privilege and responsibility. May I not focus on this clay jar, but rather let You shine through me, for Your glory alone. Thank You. Hallelujah!