ROOTED - Wednesday, April 1, 2026

2 Chronicles 36:15-16

15 The Lord,
the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers,
because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But
they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing
at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his
people, until there was no remedy.

Reflection: Prophets, Messengers,
and Pastors

Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro

One of the great privileges, I think, is to be a pastor. My dad,
when he introduces me to others, calls me a “preacher.” “This is my son, Jesse.
He is a preacher.” I admit that hearing that description of me as a title has
always irked me a bit. Not that I would be mad when he calls me a preacher”,
but it bothers me simply because the office of “preacher” does not exist. I am
a “pastor…” and sometimes part of the pastoral calling includes preaching.
Also, it “irks me” in the sense of giving me the “heebie-jeebies.” In my ultra
conservative churches growing up, the pastor was called “preacher!” So, that
title brings me back to that part of my childhood… heebie-jeebies! There were
even “preacher boys” (teenagers that would get up to preach occasionally, often
poorly imitating their favorite evangelist or “preacher,” dressed in their
sport coats and tie). Ugh!

Having now successfully poo-pooed the title of “preacher” as a
synonym for “pastor,” I do appreciate the value of the role of preaching. Here
in 2 Chronicles, the Bible tells us that the Lord, out of compassion, “persistently
sent messengers” to warn the people. “Messenger” in the New Testament is “one
who proclaims truth.” A preacher! A proclaimer of truth! The preaching role is
a great privilege and honor. God gives us preachers (God has given me wonderful
preachers I have served under and learned from) who speak into us messages of
repentance and truth. We can “despise” these “messengers of God” as the Israelites
did or we can listen and learn from them as a voice of the Lord. The preaching
ministry is vitally critical for the church today, and we ought to value and
attend to the preacher’s words. Yes, I don’t love the title, but I do love the
fact that my dad honors me as a person called to be a spokesperson of the truth
of God. And I take it as a privilege and honor when he says it, even if I get
the “heebie-jeebies.” Furthermore, I honor our lead “preacher” (Pastor Brad) as
a Purveyor of Truth. I am grateful, and you should be too.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the role of “preacher” you have given the
church. May we hear and attend to the words that the preacher speaks, listening
with a heart to respond to your calling over us.