September 27, 2022 — Everywhere? Anywhere? Nowhere?

“I was talking with a neighbor the other day,” Stan commented, “about the importance of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. He shared with me something from Mark’s gospel that really impacted and convicted him in this regard.”

“What was that?” I asked.

“It’s in the very first chapter of Mark,” Stan said, “right after Jesus called the first disciples. They were in Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and was teaching.”

“What was He teaching?”

“I don’t think it says,” Stan replied. “And that’s probably not real important. But there is something that happened at that synagogue in Capernaum that my neighbor said was very important for him. As well, from what he said, I think it’s important for me and each one of us.”

“What happened?”

“The people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching,” Stan said, “and what they did with their amazement is the important point.”

“What’d they do?” I asked.

“It says that immediately the news about Jesus went out everywhere into all of the area around Capernaum, so those people must have gone out and told their family, friends, neighbors, and everyone else. That’s what led my neighbor to ask himself some questions that changed his faith walk.”

“What questions?”

“First,” Stan replied, “he said he asked himself if he is amazed by Jesus’ teaching. Second, he asked himself what is he doing to spread the news of Jesus and what He taught. Is it being spread everywhere, anywhere, or nowhere?”

“Oh,” I said, “those seem like they might be some pretty good questions for each one of us to ask ourselves!”

“‘Seem like’, ‘might be’, and ‘pretty good’? Stan replied. “To me, they are much more than that; they are essential questions we are to ask ourselves.”

“Ask and then do something about the answers,” I said. “Is that it?”

“What do you think?” Stan asked in reply.

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Bible verses to consider:

And immediately the news about Him went out everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee. Mark 1:28.

And the report about Him was getting out into every locality in the surrounding district. Luke 4:37.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the good news of Jesus Christ. Thank you, too, for the people you brought into my life to tell me the truth so I could accept it and know I will spend eternity in your presence when it is time. I confess that too often I do not share the good news with others so they, too, will have the opportunity for life eternally with you, along with the eternal life of knowing you and Jesus on this side of eternity. Please forgive that foolishness. And please, Father, help me follow every step of your lead so I do, in fact, share the good news of Jesus everywhere, not just “somewhere” and never “nowhere.” Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted the good news of Jesus so you know you will spend eternity in God’s presence when it is time? If no, why? What’s in the way of accepting God’s free and gracious provision? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with telling others about Jesus and the good news? If you sense the need for change in that, how will that happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?