Off the radar...

{from Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008}

"In the 15th year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea & Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas & Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the wilderness..."

(Luke 3:1-2)

Something big is about to happen. Luke the storyteller is setting it up. He lists all the big "movers and shakers" from Jesus' time - in both the political & spiritual spheres: the Roman Emperor, Tiberius... the Roman Governor in Israel (Pilate)... the local Jewish "kings" (Philip & Herod)... a neighboring ruler (Lysanias), and the two Jewish High Priests (Annas & Caiaphas). BUT NONE OF THEM WERE THE FOCUS HERE. Instead, the word of God came to JOHN. A 'nobody.' And yet, we know he became a very important 'somebody.'

This is a great reminder that God can speak to anyone! And God often chooses to work with those who are "off the radar screens" of most people. We shouldn't be surprised when God does this - it happens all the time in scripture.

PRAYER: Speak, Lord! Use whomever you will. Keep me humble enough to be able to notice your messengers. Thank you for transcending our expectations! AMEN.