Sunday: To Share the Good News
Daily Lesson for Sunday 5th of November 2023
Read Luke 24:1-12. What was the response of those who heard about the risen Christ?
Early Sunday morning, after Jesus’ death, Luke says that a number of women went to the tomb. They had spices with them; so, it is likely they were going to tend to Jesus’ body now that the Sabbath was over. Expecting to find a still-sealed tomb, they were shocked to find the tomb empty. Unsure what to do, they were afraid when two men in shining clothing appeared. However, the men had a message for them. Reminding them of Jesus’ words, they told the women that Jesus had indeed risen, as He had said He would. Overjoyed with the news, they quickly returned to where the disciples and many of Jesus’ other followers were staying and told what they had seen and heard, because their excitement could not be contained. That is, they were sharing with others what they had learned of Christ.
Can you imagine how the women must have felt? They had just had an amazing experience, one that certainly filled them with awe, but the disciples called their experience “idle tales” and would not believe them. Thus, not sure whether to believe the women or not, Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself.
For Peter—and for many of us—there is a hesitancy to accept something simply because someone else said it. Though Peter listened to the women, he could not share in their experience until later. At first, all he experienced was an empty tomb, and that, Luke says, simply left him “marveling to himself” (Luke 24:12, NKJV). His experience at the tomb was not the same as that of the women.
Regardless of Peter’s response, as soon as these women heard the news about Jesus, they wanted to share it with others. What greater motivation for mission could there be than to let others know about what Jesus has done for them? What greater motive than to spread the good news of salvation in Jesus, the only hope any of us have?
Of course, we need a personal experience with God ourselves before we can share it with others. Our desire to share with others what we love so much must be a crucial part of our motivation for mission. In the end, we can’t share what we ourselves don’t have, can we?
What are some of the experiences you have had with the reality of God and His love? Why are these times so precious to you, and how do they motivate you to reach out to others with the good news?
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What are some of the experiences you have had with the reality of God and His love?
Most people find it hard to believe that you can be in conversation with God as if you are chatting to a close friend face-to-face. Prior to receiving His Holy Spirit on the 10th of May 2013, I was a devout Hindu but never heard His voice not once; but since then I am in 2-way conversation with Him whenever I want. I wish this for all His children (King Jesus' words in Matthew 4:4 KJV : "...but by every word that proceedth out of the mouth of God.").
Why are these times so precious to you, and how do they motivate you to reach out to others with the good news?
His words in Matthew 16:28 KJV drive me: "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom." King Jesus said this 2000 years ago: Have you prepared your heart to see it now ? 😉
Good morning Brenden, I appreciate your sharing your experience. Praise God for your greater discovery of truth.
Are you saying that you hear God's voice or are they impressions or thoughts that come into your mind? Does this happen when only reading scripture or during prayer? Or is it as you go about the day? I believe I am talking TO God more than WITH Him because I am chatty in my thinking and it seems like more of a monologue. I do experience help in answers to oportune prayers. I ask for the right words to speak, peace, etc.
How to distinguish between my thoughts and His communication? It's an individual experience I know. God bless.
Dear Adina 🤗
All praise to our King Jesus 🙏
"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.", King Jesus in Matthew 13:9 KJV :
1. Are you saying that you hear God's voice or are they impressions or thoughts that come into your mind?
I ask closed-ended questions that result in "Yes/No" answers that I hear in my heart (I do not hear an audible voice). I prefer binary "Yes/No" answers, so that I am clear on what His instructions are to me.
2. Does this happen when only reading scripture or during prayer? Or is it as you go about the day?
I converse with Him in this manner throughout the day, from the time I open my eyes to the time I close them again.
3. How to distinguish between my thoughts and His communication?
It is an individual experience as it reflects the level of connection in your relationship with Him. Your ability to converse with Him is dependent on this.
I offer you King Jesus' words in Matthew 13:12 KJV : "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."
King Jesus is talking about the link between the level of our faith and the level of relationship we can have with Him.
"For whosoever hath [faith], to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance [of relationship with Me]: but whosoever hath not[faith], from him shall be taken away even that he hath[in terms of relationship with Me]."
To develop a close relationship with Him, it is a very simple process:
1. Repent of absolutely ALL sins (King Jesus in Matthew 4:17 KJV)
2. His Spirit will come upon you.
3. Continuously seek to be humble like Him: "... learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart...", King Jesus in Matthew 11:29 KJV.
It is not easy to be a good maths teacher. Trying to explain to students how to solve a complex problem involving calculus is difficult. There are often several ways to approach the problem and it is often difficult to anticipate the outcome of a particular approach. The very best maths teachers are not the ones who "know" the best way and show the students what to do. Good teachers approach the problem with the attitude of an explorer, excited by successes, disappointed by failures but always willing to try a different approach. Such teachers are usually enthusiastic, and that enthusiasm is infectious.
If Christianity is to be meaningful, those of us who call ourselves Christians should have a dose of infectious enthusiasm. You go to a restaurant and decide that you are going to have dessert. You look at the menu but all the names are meaningless, written in a language that you do not understand. So, what do you do? You look around and see what the other patrons are eating and you see a table where they are eating a dessert with delightful enjoyment. The choice is obvious. "We will have what they are eating?"
Even the Psalmist knew that metaphor:
Is the Christianity that I portray in my life the kind that encourages others to say, "We want what he is experiencing!"?
Mind swirl....
The reality of Jesus alive today. The reality of Jesus as Savior and King. "Idle tales". The historical accuracy of the Bible. Did Jesus really rise physically from the grave? Or is this a sort of parable about coming alive spiritually? What if resurrection sounds like nonsense? How can we trust the Bible witnesses as accurate? The disciples of Jesus walking to Emmaus called Him a prophet (Luke 24:19).."powerful in word and deed before God and all the people." Lots of non-Christian people say this about Jesus today too... "wonderful teacher", "classical sage", "ethical instructor", "the pinnacle of morality". Jesus had asked His other disciples who they thought He was in Matthew 16:15-18. Peter recognized divinity, but the others held back. And then later, Peter doubted too. The Emmaus disciples didn't know what to think. You can pretty much hear them saying, "Lots of crazy stories are flying around, (mostly by women), that people have seen Him."
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What about me? What do I think? What do I know? Is there anything I'm unsure of?
In tomorrow's lesson, it looks like we'll see Jesus direct us toward Scripture. But before we follow there, maybe it's important for us to search our own hearts and dig up to the surface any doubt still buried and hiding there. To air it out with God...."are you real, God? Jesus? Please help my unbelief. Please reveal Yourself to me more clearly, more loudly. Please help me to more fully experience what the Good News of Your resurrection means in my life. Please help me to adopt more accurate visions of You."
Someone has said, "It’s so hard to live for others. It’s so easy to live only for yourself. Why even try? You need more than teachings, more than philosophy. You need a feeling inside you." Do we need a feeling inside of us? Feelings get downplayed as unreliable barometers of truth (Prov. 3:5-6), but yes, we need to FEEL the Good News too, right?! In this lesson, we just read of fear and hesitancy turning to overjoyed and excitement and awe. The Fruits of the Spirit ....love, joy, peace ... aren't those feelings as well as states of existence? Were Paul and Silas really feeling peace and joy and love as they sang in prison (Acts 16:25), or were they "faking it until they make it?"
I thank the Lord for giving me the experience of what it is like to be freed from the burden of sin. I am praying for others who still need to come to Jesus that will come so that they can feel the peace that can only be found in Him.
Esther touched on the same consideration which came to my mind. Maybe our testimony is missing the most salient point when it focuses mostly on how our physical life has been impacted by the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ without reflecting on the eternal consequences of His Resurrection and what we 'think or feel' about this.
We know that the news by the angels of the resurrection of their beloved teacher was not even readily accepted by His disciples who had spent their last 3 plus years with Him, heard Him preach and teach the message of heaven and its kingdom here on earth. This should give us pause as we consider sharing the broader aspects of our faith.
If He would not have risen, He would be (and is by many who do not believer in His Resurrection) considered a teacher or prophet like those who came befor Him. Even the claim of being the 'son of god' has been made by others before Him and recorded in the annals of pagen religions. It is the fact of His resurrection which raises His credibility to be the true Son of God above all who claimed this status before.
Because He did rise from the dead to be our Intercessor, Lord and Savior placed at the right hand of our heavenly Father, the hearer of God’s Word should consider this when contemplating the spiritual value of the Gospel message.
It establishes Jesus' authority when considering our relationships between the heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and man. The teachings, by themselves, are valuable to be applied to this life by faith, but they need to be understood in the context of what they are to accomplish or lead toward – sharing the Glory of God which leads to eternal life.
I think that the greatest news anyone could share is that of Jesus Christ risen from the dead and residing in heaven as the Sone of God for the purpose of being our Lord and Savior. He has given to His followers the Holy Spirit to guide and aid them on their path of Faith whiles awaiting the time when He can welcome them home.
Simply, this lesson regarding a missionary mindset reminds us about our need to be grounded in the Word of God. I think about all the conspiracy theories that we are subjected to and are leading people astray. Grounding in the Word helps us to understand what is happening around us and to discern what is false so we can share the truth with others.
I read these words this morning "Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him "Yes Lord." Then He touched their eyes saying "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying,"See that no one knows it." But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. (Matt 9:38-31)
Does my Faith allow me to experience God in a way that my eyes are opened to see Him and gratitude for him is experienced by all who come in contact with me?
Is the focus of my sharing the product of a faith based relationship with God that is transforming my life?