Street Preaching in the 21st Century

Something about the words "street preaching" in our day just makes us shutter. We picture dooms day cardboard sign holders standing outside of sporting events shouting at those who are trying to hurry past him or old men in conservative suits delivering tracts to anyone who will accept it on the subway.

Street preachers have gotten a lot of publicity from song lyrics, movies, and other sources of media. Some portrayals are positive yet uncertain "I saw a man upon a box/ He seemed a little unorthodox/ Well he was preaching up a storm…" (Don't Worry Rebecca St James) Most fictitious street preachers are crazy, homeless guys that are just talking foolish nonsense that everyone knows is not possible.

Hmmm, sound a little familiar? When Jesus walked the talking of His Father's love, wasn't there people who saw him as crazy as well? Didn't Jesus travel on foot with no place to really call home calling on anyone within earshot?

Jesus went to the masses to preach. He didn't sit in his church and feel content with his disciples. Wherever the people were,that's where you would find Him. He didn't fear rejection or ridicule. He didn't wait for them to come to Him.

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:35-38 NIV)

Today the harvest is still plentiful, and we are the disciples He now speaks to. Take the time to find your cardboard sign and box--be it as a volunteer in a retirement center, a coach at your child's school, the webmaster of a Christian devotion site, or any other form of getting the message to those outside the comfort of your own sanctuary.

Think of what we can do if we take it to the streets with the same furor that we deal with our youth.

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