You’re Not Just the Messenger

by John Michalak

I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: proclaim the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

You’ve probably heard someone say it: “Look, I’m just the messenger!”

This is usually said when someone is bringing news that’s unpleasant to your ears. The speaker is attempting to deflect your negative response in saying that someone else is responsible for the message.

This is understandable. No one wants to suffer someone’s wrath if we don’t have to. But, Paul doesn’t let Timothy off the hook so easily. He charges Timothy with not just delivering God’s message like some empty device or machine, but to be something more.

God’s good news won’t often sound good at first to those who don’t believe. But, from our perspective, time is short and there’s too much at stake. So, the key is to become more than just a messenger. How? By actually living out the message. By allowing the good news of Christ to live in you through and through.

Paul’s charge to Timothy is ours as well: you’re not just the messenger.

In your patience, love, and teaching—you yourself should become the message.