Reflection
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When we hear good news, most of us can’t help but share it. There’s just something in us that lights up when something wonderful happens, and we get so much joy from sharing it with others.
When Jesus was born, thousands of angels showed up to tell the shepherds. And after the shepherds saw Jesus, the first thing they did was run to tell everyone the good news! This would continue to be true throughout Jesus’s life as he healed people and performed miracles. Word about Jesus and the amazing things he was doing traveled far.
So, it’s not surprising that after he died and rose again, Jesus would ask his followers to go into the world to share the good news of what God had done. What does feel surprising, however, is who he trusted to do it. When we think about the disciples, one thing’s for sure: They were not the elite, educated, influential members of society. I mean, if I were to pick a group of people to take my message global, I’d choose the best communicators, the ones with lots of influence and marketing experience. I’d want to be sure the team I chose could get the job done.
But that’s not how Jesus typically operated. He usually chose poor, mostly uneducated people who lacked influence. The disciples were guys who got it wrong on several occasions, had their doubts, and overreacted from time to time. No matter how many times Jesus tried to help them understand the way God’s kingdom works, they often misunderstood and focused on the wrong things. These were not the guys that could be counted on to get the job done. But they turned out to be the perfect group.
In choosing these imperfect people to carry the message of Jesus into the world, God was showing us two very important things:
For one, we don’t have to have it all together to be a part of the work God is doing in the world. Secondly, his church would prevail—not because of the talent or credentials of the people involved, but because the same power that conquered the grave lived inside them.
The church and the message of Jesus would not, could not, and will not be stopped. So we don’t have to be afraid that we don’t have all the answers or that we’ll mess things up. We don’t have to be afraid to fail. We can share the good news of Jesus with confidence, knowing the outcomes aren’t resting on our shoulders. They’re in the hands of an all-powerful God. So go tell it!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. And thank you for allowing us to be a part of your plan to reach the world. Help us share the good news of Jesus with confidence! And help us to remember that the same power that conquered the grave lives inside us. Amen.
