Egyházi Értesítő, 1990 (314-325. szám)

1990-05-01 / 318. szám

©ttgítsl) ákdiöíi

PROPHETS IN THE PEWS

Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his spirit upon them. (Numbers 11:29)»

Please don't think that you are the only one on our walk together who is learning anything, the'only one encouraged: be assured that I, too, have gained a great deal. No study of God's Word, especially for the purpose of instructing, encouraging, and comforting others, is ever a barren exercise» The Holy Spirit leads us into the truth, and helps us to speak the Word in ever new ways, in ways that are meaningful and effective, whatever the situation.

This brings us ic thought raised b$- bur' text: 'the ' prophé'ts in the1 pews. This is never an easy subject to deal with, particularly in one page. Moses in our text expressed the wish that the pews (or, in his case, the tents) might be full of people proclaiming God's truth. That the tents did not overflow with prophets is clear, yet his wish that the Lord would 'put his spirit' on all the people was valid. His desi that each Israelite might be continually motivated by the Lord's Spirit could in itself be called prophetic. When God prophesied >not only through the 70 elders who gathered to receive Idle spirit but also through two who weren't present,,Moses rejoiced that God's truth was being proclaimed.

Since Pentecost the Spirit is given to all, and we have received him through Baptism. Where, then, are the prophets in the pews? Didn't Paul say: 'Desire the spiritual gifts, especially that y©u may prophesy' (l.Cor.1^:1)? We can't deal here with all the facets of prophecy, nor with individuals who may be especially gifted in this way (as indeed in all areas of the Christian life); it is enough to emphasize that prophecy is nothing if it is not the clear interpretation of God's willforfais people.'iprophe-cy is interpretation of God's will in a variety of w§ys, creatively,, originally, boldly - but always in accordance with the clear meaning and spirit of the written Word God has given.

The pews are full of profhets. Whenever we glean a message of encouragement or comfort from the Word, and in love communicate it to someone, we are doing the workof the Spirit. We are prophets. And the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ is the central theme of prophecy.

Fill us with your Spirit, Lord, that we may becomei.prophets in the

pews»rightly understanding and interpreting your Word. Amen.

Egyházi Értesítő. 1*t. 1990 május ho.