What stories do you tell? Are they true? Are they important? Are they rumors? Will those stories be important a week from now? A month from now? A year from now? Do you tell the story of Jesus and His saving grace?
We talk a lot. Some people wake up talking and don’t stop until they fall asleep. Even those who don’t talk as much can talk for long periods of time on topics they are interested in. But are we talking for the sake of talking, or are we talking about what is important?
We are inundated with opportunities for our attention to be drawn away from what is most important. We have entertainment options. We are distracted by fashion. Our jobs require us to focus on accomplishing tasks. Our families need us to take care of them. We are faced with many decisions every day that require our attention.
Jesus sent the twelve apostles out to proclaim a message of hope. They were to tell people “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” What does that mean? Jesus, being God incarnate, had left heaven to come to earth. His message of hope, redemption, love, grace, and mercy were welcome to a people who had been conquered and were being oppressed.
His message also gave people the assurance that God had a plan. It told people they could spend eternity with God. He simplified the law, boiling it down to two commands—love God and love your neighbor. He performed miracles to provide additional evidence He was who He said He was.
Are we following His instruction? Though Jesus sent the twelve out to proclaim His message at that time, He wants us to continue to proclaim His message today. He wants us to share the message we have received.
I pray we all share the message of Jesus. I pray we tell others the good news of Jesus. I pray each one of us discern what is truly important and proclaim Jesus’ message. Discern the truth. Make the good news top priority. Tell others about Jesus. Do as Jesus desires.
Matthew 10:7-8 “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Marty Pressey 