top of page

People need hope more than ever. As followers of Jesus, we have this promise in Colossians 1:27.....CLICK HERE

Friday-Announcement

 

After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water

 

1 Peter 3:19,20

 

From the first day of school till the very end, there was something that we could all count on. No matter which building I was in, or who was leading the school administration, every day started the same way. No matter what the weather or time of year, there was a consistent pattern to each and every day of my public education experience.

 

Every day started with announcements. Someone spoke over the school’s PA system to tell us all the important things we needed to know for that day. Sometimes the announcement was that there were no announcements. Or that pizza was going to be on the menu in the cafeteria. And then there were those special announcements.

 

  • Today was Play Day in competition against our rival schools.

  • The balloon launch took place at 2:30 in the afternoon.

  • Practice for the school play started at 1:00 PM right after lunch.

 

And then there was that one announcement that came over the PA. It changed our world forever. We knew that something was up because there was an unusually heavy cloud of cigarette smoke coming from the teacher’s lounge. The Principal came on and told everyone to go home. That was it. No explanation or reason. Walkers were to go straight home while everyone else was to wait for their bus.

 

I immediately ran out of the school, unlocked my bike and headed home as fast as I could. I even took an “illegal” shortcut because it shortened the trip by four blocks. Riding up onto our front yard, I dumped the bike on the grass and ran into the house. There I found my mom crying in front of the television as Walter Cronkite was giving updates on President Kenedy’s assassination in Dallas, Texas.

 

But Peter wants to tell his readers something that Jesus did something more important than to make an announcement. He made a proclamation. We might not use that word, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t done it. We’ve all told people what we think and that they should join us. We’ve tried to persuade them to change their minds and actions.

 

A proclamation is so much more than just saying something or sharing a set of facts. A proclamation has more of an official feeling to it. There’s more power behind it. A proclamation is more important than just regular talking. Not only should the person doing the proclamation be listened to because of their position, but we need to pay extra attention to it. We need to take it seriously.

 

When an elected official holds a press conference, you never know what’s going to happen. Anyone can ask any question, and you never know what's going to be said. It’s all very informal.

 

But when that same official gives a speech, it’s something altogether different. It’s been on the schedule for some time. There’s been preparation. Everyone comes in expecting important things to be said. A change in direction. Each word is listened to and taken seriously.

 

This is the kind of proclamation that Jesus made. It was serious. It was filled with the truth that no one could deny. It had all his power and authority behind it. It was like those EF Hutton commercials, “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.[1]”

 

We don’t like these kinds of proclamations today. We want everything to be light and breezy. We want lots of funny stories and jokes sprinkled in. We want flashy graphics and video clips that make the point for us. We want to be spoon fed so that we don’t have to work at it.

 

But there are times when what we need is a good proclamation. After the attacks of 9/11, President George Bush[2] gave a memorial and powerful speech that only lasted eight minutes. But the most powerful part of that proclamation didn’t need any words. After finishing, he walks back to his seat. And as he sits down, his father reaches over and touches his arm[3].

 

Now this probably sounds strange coming from the person who’s known as the Prince of PowerPoints. Yes, it’s hard for me to get up and talk without that “clicker” in my hand to make the next slide come up and dazzle everyone. From the guy who searched the internet for video and music clips to help make his point.

 

And while all this and more are true, there’s something even more true. Every once in a while, we desperately need a good old-fashioned proclamation. Where someone get up and says exactly what we need to hear in a serious and powerful way. Where the truth of who God is and how we’ve ignored him for way too long hits us like a ton of bricks. And Jesus is pointed to as our only hope. So, when that proclamation does come, will we listen? Will we pay attention and give it very serious thought? Or will we just laugh and move on to something more enjoyable. Something that will make us laugh and feel happy. Please, listen to the proclamation when it comes.

 

Noodling Questions

 

  • Do you look forward to announcements? Why?

  • How is Jesus’ announcement so special?

  • What proclamation would you make to your family and friends?


Comments

bottom of page