There is not a more privileged task than preaching God’s Word. Preachers have the assignment week after week of being a tour guide through the Scripture. As a preacher of the Bible I get to sit and stare at this Jesus. I can marvel at him, dwell upon him, pray for more understanding of him and then come up to the pulpit before God’s people on a Sunday morning, and commend his unrivaled actions and beauty to them. There is truly nothing better.
Furthermore, pastors are able to do so knowing the Spirit of God opens eyes to see this Jesus. But, he does not only let us see him but also to delight in him. That is, to see him and savor him.
He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.(Jn.16.14)
Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says Jesus is accursed! and no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12.3)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 cor. 3.18)
As a result, there is a great confluence of emotions on Sunday mornings for preachers. There is a feeling of humility, for are not worthy of such a privilege; it has been granted to us. We are excited, for indeed there is nothing more exhilarating to consider than Jesus Christ. We are also optimistic because we know that God the Holy Spirit works in the lives of his people. As he has given us sight he will sustain and sharpen this sight of Christ’s glory. We are also thankful. We are thankful because this sight of Christ’s glory is a gift. There is indeed nothing better for us to fix our eyes upon than the unrivaled beauty of Jesus.
As preachers we are reminded that every time we open the Bible with the church family there is great potential. There is a great potential for us to better see and savor Jesus Christ. That is to better understand him and then, because of this understanding, to treasure him.
God does this through the word preached. This is indeed a privilege that no man, especially a preacher, can fathom. However, it is to be valued and humbly enjoyed.