The Christian Soapbox

"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." (Matthew 10: 27 KJV)

"Soapbox" is a word that has come to refer to "an improvised platform used by a self-appointed, spontaneous, or informal orator" or more "broadly" as "something that provides an outlet for delivering opinions."

It alludes to the tradition in British and American society, and in other democratic and free speech communities, of taking an old wooden box, or a common "soapbox," and making a preaching "stand" or "platform" of it so that a speaker might thereby improve the acoustics, allowing more people both to hear and see the speaker.

In the words of Christ above, it is clear that Christians are commanded to "make the most of every opportunity" (Colossians 4: 5 NIV) in regard to their telling others the heart cheering news of salvation through Christ. They should "take advantage of" every afforded opportunity to create a soapbox to announce the life saving message of Jesus.

It is fascinating to think of the early days of this country, how the first gospel preachers went out into a forested wilderness, into small clearings, and in the outdoors, on a stump or other makeshift "soapbox," and told others of the good news of Christ and his salvation!

"Go and tell" is an often repeated exhortation given by Christ to his disciples. "Go share what you have seen and heard and experienced"! "Go tell others what you have come to learn"!

"The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore." (Matthew 13: 1, 2 KJV)

Jesus created a natural ampitheatre by his making the boat into a "soapbox." It truly improved the acoustics and he "made the most of the opportunity" to tell others the good news.

"And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14: 22 KJV)

"He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' "But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business." (Matthew 22: 3-5 NIV)

The first invitation in the first parable (Luke) is to a royal supper, while the latter is to a royal wedding reception. Those who are saved are they who have accepted this invitation and come to the wedding and to the supper. They too are the ones who go out and invite others, who bid others to come with them and partake of the blessed experience.

"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (Mark 5: 19 KJV)

"And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." (Luke 9: 59, 60 AV)

This is what every disciple feels a "calling" and "need" to do once he himself has received the good news. It is simply too good to keep hidden. It must be told! It "burns" in the heart of a new believer like fire and it must have its release! (See Jeremiah 20: 9) Every disciple has orders to "go and tell" others what Christ has done! It is both a duty and a privilege. No wonder that the first apostles, after they had met Christ and experienced their spiritual rebirths, went out immediately and spontaneously to tell their family and friends, saying "come and see this man!"

"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (II Timothy 2: 2 KJV)

This is what disciples of Christ do regularly, or at least should be doing. They are to tell others what Christ has told them. They are to be communicators of the gospel message. This gospel is to be "passed on" from one person to another, and in every way possible.

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not." (Isaiah 6: 8, 9 KJV)

The Christian is one, or who should be one, who has answered this call! He is one who is anxious to share the good news. If he really believes it is the grandest and most exciting news, then surely he will tell others. If he fails to share it, then it most likely is because he himself does not believe it to be all that exciting a message.

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126: 6 KJV)

The disciple who tells others the "good news" is one who is "bearing precious seed"! He sows it as he tells it to other, when he broadcasts the seed. There is great reward and rejoicing in this work!

"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." (Acts 5: 20 NIV)

This again is what every disciple is commanded to do. He should start with this family and friends, fellow workers, and then go out further. Tell them all about Jesus and what he said and taught! Oh what a grand occupation to be a messenger for Christ!

"The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" (Acts 8: 34 NIV)

"So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." (Acts 10: 33 NIV)

Are there not many "enquiring minds" out there in the world who want to know who is this Jesus? Oh that there were more Christians to answer this call to go out and tell others about Jesus!

"You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." (Acts 10: 36 NIV)

"Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus." (Acts 11: 20 NIV)

"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. " (Acts 13: 32 NIV)

"Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them." (Acts 14: 15 NIV)

"And they went out, and preached that men should repent." (Mark 6: 12 KJV)

"What I tell you, tell others," said Jesus. Every Christian needs to look for "soapboxes" to tell others about who Jesus is and what he said. Included in this "telling" of others is the message of faith in Christ and of repentance from sin.

Friend, if you are not a Christian, then I urge you to accept the gracious invitation to become Christ's disciple and to be God's guest forever in his house.

Friend, if you are a Christian, then I urge you to get excited about telling others about this message. Ask the Lord to help you "make the most of every opportunity" to tell others about the precious name of Jesus.