She remained praying in her chariot, drawn by just a single horse, and, in full view of the crowd who had followed her after this sign of divine strength, she arrived unhurriedly and unharmed at the assembly of the people. Here she exhorted the people with teaching and words of salvation, seasoned with divine salt…
– Cogitosus, The Life of St. Brigit the Virgin
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
– Hebrews 4.12
Teaching the Word
I’m guessing that the “compelling practical” situation Brigit encountered involved some disagreement, dispute, or failure of love in the community. Although her ministry in this situation was accompanied by various signs and miracles—to validate the teaching—she led with the ministry of the Word. She especially sought to lift the people above their present difficulty, as we see by her exhorting rather than scolding or admonishing them. She reminded them of their salvation and taught them how to maintain unity by keeping focused on their common salvation.
The ministry of the Word can take various forms. Preaching and teaching are perhaps most familiar to us, but even within these, various approaches are employed. A teacher might use irony, for example: “Shall we therefore sin that grace may increase?” Or exhortation: “Excel still more!” Story-telling (think of the many parables of Jesus), questioning (“What do you have that you did not receive?”), and even shaming (“Are you not babes in Christ?”). It can also include vision-casting, as in Ephesians 4.11-16, where Paul casts the vision of believers and churches maturing into Christlikeness, and many other devices.
Brigit chose teaching with exhortation in this situation, focusing on the people’s common experience of Christ and His salvation. She pointed them above their present situation to help them become reoriented to the grace of God, put aside their differences, and press on toward the mark of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This is what good teaching does.
We ought to be teachers
And that includes in our ministry of God’s Word to one another. The writer of Hebrews railed at the Christians who read his letter because they had let the fear of man keep them from growing in the Lord. He told them that, given their length of time in the Gospel, they ought to be teaching one another. Instead, they need someone to teach them the basics of the Gospel all over again (Heb. 5.12).
We are all called to minister the Word of God to one another. Paul wrote that we must allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly, so that we could teach and admonish one another (Col. 3.16). The more time we spend, like Brigit, seeking the Lord in His Word and prayer, the readier we will be to speak a word of edification to those around us (Eph. 4.29). That doesn’t mean preaching or teaching; it can be just a word of affirmation, appreciation, or encouragement, sincerely given.
And what a privilege and joy it is to serve in this way. It’s a miracle that the eternal, almighty, sovereign God of heaven and earth entrusts us with His Word. We’re like the servants in the parable of the talents. Whatever God gives us from His Word, we must quickly obey and eagerly relate to others, so that the investment He has made in us can multiply and bear fruit. His Word at work within us can lead us to many good works to bless others.
Let us follow the teaching of Scripture and the example of those who have gone before, and be always ready to share a good word with those to whom God sends us day by day.
For Reflection
1. Is your daily preparation in the Word sufficient to help you in ministering the Word?
2. Whom do you expect to minister God’s Word to today? How will you do that?
Psalm 104.24-30 (Creation: The Spacious Firmament Above)
How many are Your works, O LORD,
which You have created by Your Word!
The earth and sea with creatures teem—
they look to You to care and feed.
You give to them, they gather all;
You hide Your face, they fail and fall.
You take their breath, they gasp and die;
You send Your Spirit, they revive.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we continue looking at the nature of justice as God defines it. In our Read Moore podcast we continue in our series of readings from three booklets on life in the Kingdom. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
