Reflecting on Mark 13:9-13
"And the gospel must first be preached to all nations." (Mark 13:10)This is our mission in a world that is crashing and collapsing.
Now more than ever we need to be witnesses to the good news (gospel).
But what exactly does this mean?
Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God.
He both demonstrated and declared God’s Way of restoring God’s world.
He lived the Gospel, the Way of Love overcoming evil and the curse.
He preached and practiced the fruit of the Spirit, for all to see and hear.
People felt His goodness, were drawn by His gracious words and actions.
All people, except those who were in positions of power and privilege.
His message was good news to the oppressed, not the oppressors.
He rose (overcame evil and the curse) by lifting others.
As Jesus followers, we need to follow Jesus and the Jesus Way.
Despite opposition, criticism and condemnation, we witness to good news.
We bring hope to the hopeless, and help to the helpless.
We stand with those who are mistreated, demeaned or treated unfairly.
We become known as disciples of Jesus by our love (John 13:35).
This is our calling and mission when the world and church is crumbling.
And when the world or church attack us, we speak by the same Spirit.
The Spirit who produces love, joy, peace, patience, etc, also speaks through us.
Our words, like our actions, are love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
The gospel we preach is the gospel we practice: the Jesus Way of Love.
If our focus is on Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus will help us.
If we stand firm in the Jesus Way, the Spirit will work through us.
Our best defense in this troubled world is still Jesus and the Jesus Way.
It is not in organizing protests, or in mobilizing a moral majority.
It is not by partnering with power to change laws and punish opponents.
It is not by winning arguments, and shaming those who disagree with us.
We are witnesses in word and deed to Jesus and the Jesus Way.
The good news is not: if you don’t repent, you’re going to hell!
The good news is not: believe what we believe, or God is against you!
The good news is that God, despite human depravity, still loves us.
Through Jesus and the Jesus Way, God is making this world ‘very good’ again!
God uses humble and gracious servants to topple arrogant and cruel systems.
Love wins, not power, not hate, not the majority, not my ‘right religion’.
Wherever you see people healing, helping, and serving others, you see Jesus.
Wherever goodness and compassion are at work, the kingdom is coming.
When the nations think of the ‘christian’ west, is this what they experience?
When they see the evangelical church in league with a western government?
There are examples of christians and churches being good news to the nations.
Jesus still has followers who have not bent the knee to Satan’s lies.
But too often the opposite is true, and His followers are not know by their love.
If we are not demonstrating good news, then we are not declaring good news.
If we are not known for our love, then we are not known as Jesus followers.
Our world needs to see and hear good news.
I am convinced that people would be drawn to the goodness of Jesus.
Except, as in Jesus’s day, those who are in positions of power of privilege.
Local councils and synagogues, governors and kings… church and state.
I choose not to submit to church or state, but to Jesus and the Jesus Way.
Submitting to Jesus and the Jesus Way means being humble and gracious to all.
Not advancing myself or my position, but lifting others up.
Letting people know that God’s love is free and open to all!
That love, not power and politics, is how God restores the world.
That we are raised up (victorious) by lifting up others!
May the Spirit give me the words and actions to spread this good news!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, our mission is simple: be servants and agents of Your goodness, so that the world will see, hear and experience the good news of God's kingdom. This is our first and last and constant priority and purpose, until You come again. May Your followers - those who live and love Your Way - stand firm to the end!
“God is making this world ‘very good’ again.” Thank you. Even as we wait for the new heaven and new earth, THIS earth is not yet been rendered useless. There are VERY good things happening here. It is the quiet, service of the ones who are standing in the Way of Jesus’ love. As we receive it and pass it on to others, we are being declared “very good” by our Creator. As he hovers over our chaos, his gentle spirit reaches out and brings order to those who surrender to his Way.
I appreciate the reminder.
Those around us need to see that we are Christians by our love. We are His witnesses by our words and deeds. We are living epistles read by those around us. May His Spirit continue to lead me and guide me daily in the Way that I need to walk to stand up for Jesus.