“Here am I, Lord, send me”

It was initially the prayer of Isaiah. And ever since it has been the prayer of thousands of Christians. And it is an important prayer.

The very heart of the gospel is to go. Spread the good news. Give everybody the opportunity to be saved. All should have that free choice,

How God gets us there is another issue. Sometimes the only way to get to someone’s soul is through the back door.

For example, if I needed to go to a leader to preach the gospel, I’m not likely to get an audience to do so. I’m too unimportant.

But God can bring us before kings. Look at this text.

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.  And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.  And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

This text is amazing! The purpose of your arrest is that you can stand before governors and kings “to bear witness before them.”

Why?

“The gospel must be preached to all nations.”

How else will you get before governors and kings? Sometimes arrest, flogging and prison is the door.

It’s scary to preach the gospel before the rulers. If they don’t like what you say, they can kill you on the spot.

It’s for this the text says not to be anxious about what you will say. Let the Spirit speak through you.

Yes, it may cost your life. But the gospel will be preached. People will hear. And that even includes kings, rulers and people in authority.

Because your arrest?

It’s not about you.

It’s about them.

And their salvation.

The message?

Preach the gospel.

Always.

Everywhere.