Sharing the Good News

As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

My Pastor once used this illustration during a sermon on discipleship: He was at a mall with his wife when she spotted a sale item at such a reduced price that she got out her mobile immediately and messaged all her girlfriends about it. Exactly as I would have done!

We all love to share good news and a child of God is privy to the best news in the entire universe! But how enthusiastically and frequently are we sharing what we know with others, and why not?

Why is it so easy to tell our friends and family about our job promotions, our marriage proposals, or our child’s first place prize in the State’s math & science competition but so difficult to tell the ones who need to hear it that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners just like them? (1 Timothy 1:15.)  We struggle just as much sharing the gospel with people we know well as we do strangers. 

Why? Fear! We fear rejection, being made fun of, or failing to get what we consider a favorable response – most people are not falling at our feet with eagerness to hear more. So we become discouraged.

We forget that Jesus Himself was despised and rejected (Isaiah 53). More than that, He was mocked and mistreated in the cruelest way and ultimately crucified by the same people He came to preach the gospel to and save.

We forget that the Father so loved us that “He did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16- 17.  Not through us – all He asks is that we tell what He has done.

We forget about the promise – that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel – which means, God with us.” Matthew 1:23. That God Himself came to serve and to save and is still with us is the Good News that He wants us, His children to share.

As get together with others this Christmas we can share the full story surrounding the birth of the Christ Child – that God Himself took on human flesh to live among the least and died on a cross for our sins, taking our place before the wrath of God so we can live freely and forgiven; that He is resurrected and alive, living in us and through us.

Like the Apostle Paul we can tell it simply and to the point, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17-18)

Emmanuel, God is with us. That is the good news, the gospel which is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 ESV.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace. Thank you for laying aside your sovereignty and taking on the form of a servant so that we who walk in darkness can see the light; we who are weary and heavy laden can have rest, and we who are imprisoned by fear and shame can have peace and joy. Thank you for sending your Son and your Holy Spirit to live in us and through us and we giving us your righteousness. Thank you for loving us to the very end. To you, Father, be dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile