September 4, 2004

THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT

"Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight" (Malachi 3:1, NKJV).

The congenial figure of Jesus coming to earth as the "Messenger of the covenant" is indicative of God's personal concern for the salvation of mankind. The "Messenger of the covenant" is Jesus Christ Himself. The prophecy of the Messenger of the covenant applies both to Christ's first Advent and to His second Advent. (See SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1130).

The word, Messenger, is variously rendered, "envoy," "ambassador," and "angel." A messenger is one who conveys a message on behalf of another. As God's ambassador to earth, Jesus speaks with full authority for His heavenly Father. He has come to earth with the divine credentials issued and authorized by the Father. The message He brought is the good news of salvation and reconciliation with God. In a unique sense, the "Messenger of the covenant" is both the message and the messenger.

As the "Messenger of the covenant," Jesus came to communicate the immutable counsels of God, to confirm the everlasting covenant, to mediate on man's behalf, and to give eternal life to whosoever will believe on Him. John affirms that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world (see 1 John 4:14). Jesus also came as the authentic interpreter of God's uprightness in His dealings with humanity. Ellen G. White portrays the universality of the message in these words: "To all people, rich and poor, free and bond, Christ, the Messenger of the Covenant, brought the tidings of salvation."--Counsels on Health, p. 318.

My Prayer Today: Lord, in love You brought me salvation. May this good news transform me into a messenger of hope. Amen.