All of us are naturally drawn to some people, and less so to others.  At the same time, all of us are busy and often live in the frenzy of the urgent.  But there is real value in stopping for a few moments and pondering a biblical preacher – that is, a preacher in the Bible.  Perhaps their situation will draw you, or their personality, or their apparent failure, or their success.  Perhaps in pondering their life and ministry you will recognize something for which to pray in respect to your own preaching, or perhaps an encouragement in difficult days.  So think for a moment . . . who?  Why?

The Lord Himself – Obvious choice I suppose, but not simply the agrarian story-teller people describe him to be.  His preaching polarised people, could be profoundly clear, or blindingly opaque.

Stephen – A masterful sermon that gets by far the longest summary in the book of Acts (a book where the speeches seem to be more action than the action!)  He nailed his opponents with a strong idea and followed through for maximum response.

Paul – Sometimes unimpressive, sometimes apparently unsuccessful, regularly opposed, yet faithful.  He was not just an apostolic brain, he poured out his life, his heart and love for the people he preached to and alongside.

The Preacher to the Hebrews – Engagingly biblical, alternating between exposition and exhortation, presenting compelling images and preaching a profoundly moving word of exhortation.

or perhaps, Elijah, Ezekiel, Micah, Jeremiah, Jonah, etc. – from eccentric to downright hard-hearted, from unheard to massive negative reaction, the prophets were covenant enforcers proclaiming in louder and bolder tones what God’s people had so long ignored, or what the nations needed to hear.

Noah – big on obedience, with the biggest of visual aids, perhaps the longest preaching ministry without fruit, yet an ancestor of us all.

Asaph – a worship leader who almost went over the edge, but felt the tension of what that would do to the generation he led if he spoke up.  A man able to see clearly because of drawing nearer to God and recognizing the significance of God’s dwelling with humanity.

Who would you choose?  Why?  What might the fruit of such pondering be in your preaching ministry?