by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Christ Is the Father’s Faithful Messenger

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.”
Proverbs 13:17 New International Version

Reading Jacob’s stealing of Esau’s blessing, I am reminded of how trouble fills this world, lots of troubles, trouble that we often bring on ourselves. This account raises unanswered questions. Did Isaac forget the prophecy that the older son would serve the younger? Did Rebekah remember and force the issue when she heard that her husband wanted to give the blessing to Esau?

This story might sound much like what you have experienced in your life. You might relate to Esau because you have been deceived, or even robbed of a blessing. Someone else took credit for your work and received the praise from your boss, which you deserved. A parent played favorites and blessed a sibling, leaving you with scraps.

Troubles are real and need healing.

Solomon warns against a messenger who, instead of bringing healing, only stirs up more strife. We know that person where instead of making things better, they make things worse. Guided by selfish ambition they see an opportunity to exploit an already dire situation–maybe we have played that role. Solomon reminds us that such a messenger falls into their own evil.

However, the faithful envoy brings healing. The word for healing has the connotation of bringing a remedy to the troubles we are experiencing.

Who is that faithful envoy? It is Christ. It seems that when we humans try to be that person, we mess things up. Yet, through his sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus is the perfectly faithful envoy of his Father’s mercy. It is in Jesus that we find the remedy for the troubles we have brought into the world. He is our forgiveness. We turn to him, and him alone, to be our envoy of healing.

As the baptized of Christ, as his envoys in the world, we often see how he uses us to bring his healing, healing that comes from his mercy for us.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado