A voice of proclamation

"And Pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should" - Colossians 4:3-4

Here in this passage the apostle Paul was asking that the church in Colosse pray for him, first for open doors and then for clarity. Note however the word that is repeated twice, once each in each verse: proclaim.

Why was the word "proclaim" used? Why not another word, such as "spread" or "share" or maybe "speak"? A quick search on Dictionary.com gives us definitions of the word proclaim as "to indicate or make known openly or publicly", "to declare" and "to extol or praise publicly". Now looking at such definitions, we can understand a little better why is it "proclaim" instead of simply "speak" or "share".

Proclaiming something means to declare it. It comes with gusto, it comes with voice and strength. One does not proclaim something with a small voice, neither does he do so with a bowed head. When a person proclaims something, he does so with a firm look, his posture is stable, he does not show sign of wavering. A proclamation is an active, effort-requiring act. This is how Jesus wants us to speak about Him. For when we speak of the King of kings, we should do so with pride and honour as is befitting of the Mighty One.

Note also that Paul says "as I should" (Col 4:4). This is to say, not just should we take note of the way we speak the Gospel, but also the fact that we should speak it. Just as Jonah was tasked to proclaim the Word of the LORD to the 120,000 people of Nineveh, we also are tasked to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Christ to the people around us. Let us then "be bold and courageous" (Joshua 1:9) and carry out this task. Tarry no longer, and stutter no further. Declare the Gospel publicly with love and action, with boldness and firmness, praise and extolling. And surely the Lord is with us when we do this. Amen.