With all our songs and sermons and praise—which are, of course, right and good!—it’s easy to forget that Jesus was a rural tradesman from a backwoods, podunk country. He spent most of his life among farmers, carpenters, and fishermen. Nearly all of them were poor and uneducated. They lived small, simple lives in a small, simple place.

Paul, on the other hand, was a cosmopolitan city slicker. He held the coveted privilege of being a citizen of Rome, born in Tarsus (a free city and capitol of the province). Paul’s peers were educated, protected, and enjoyed access to all the cultural and entertainment delights of the Roman Empire. 

When you read your Bible knowing this, you’ll see something amazing start to happen: the language of Scripture — its words, metaphors, and images — adapts to the language of the people who are first hearing it. It’s as if God wants the message of Good News to reach every ear, in every way.

Paul speaks in the language of culture and politics. He quotes famous Greek poets and philosophers (Acts 16:28, Titus 1:12). He references athletic competition (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:12-16, Galatians 5:7). He uses metaphors of architecture and building to describe the Church (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). He talks about being an “administrator” of God’s grace (1 Corinthians 4:1-5, 9:16-23).

But when Jesus speaks, something very different happens. He speaks of seeds and sowing (Mark 4:3-20, Luke 8:5-15). He talks about the Kingdom of God as if it’s a farm, where both wheat and weeds grow (Matthew 13:24-30) or a mustard seed that grows and grows into a wild tree (Mark 4:30-32). Believers are branches on a vine, which is Jesus’ own life (John 15:1-9), but sometimes act more like a fig tree with no fruit (Luke 13:6-9).

His closest followers will spend their time fishing—but for people (Matthew 4:19). They’ve been wandering around like sheep who don’t have a shepherd (Mark 6:34) and Jesus will never stop looking for them (Luke 15:1-7). They’re taught to live like lilies in a field or a bird in the air (Matthew 6:25-30), but also to plow the field without looking back and labor in the vineyard without grumbling at the blessings of others (Luke 9:62, Matthew 20:1-16).

Paul speaks to people where they are when he meets them in city centers and halls of power. Jesus speaks to people where they are when he meets them in humble houses and hilly countrysides.  Both are advancing the Gospel, and neither can be forgotten. Still, we would do well to remember where the Good News began: among the people who needed to hear it the most.

What does this mean for your own life?  Who are the people God has given you to tell the not-so-secret secret of hope? How does the way you speak and the language you use minister to the people around you? 

Or perhaps you’re ready to go even deeper than that… what do you see in this world that reminds you of the Kingdom of God? That’s a point of connection, a language that can reach ears that are hard-of-hearing.

When you listen to modern poets (contemporary songs) and culture (contemporary entertainment), which ones glimmer with a reflection of the enduring truth of God? Talk about that with your friends, and what you can hear that they can’t.

When you look at how people work, what speaks to you of the Kingdom of God? When you see the beauty of nature, bold and stark, how is that like our calling? Point it out to people. Talk about it.

Use language how Jesus and Paul did—starting with what you and your friends can see happening around you all the time.

Because God is here.