Good News
Scripture Reading — Matthew 10:37-42
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Proverbs 25:25
"What's the good news?" we sometimes say to a friend we haven't seen in a while. As Christians, we know the answer. The good news today is the same as it was yesterday: "God loves us." And he has made known his love to us forever in Jesus Christ.
The disciples had surrendered their lives to Jesus. Now he was sending them out to invite others to become his followers. Each follower of Jesus is faced with the challenge of Matthew 28:19-20: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded." We must teach others the good news of God's love.
Just as Proverbs reminds us that receiving a cup of cold water can be like hearing good news, Jesus reminds his disciples that being hospitable, even giving "a cup of cold water to one of these little ones," goes hand in hand with teaching people what it means to be followers of the cross of Christ.
Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." That is the greatest commandment. Then Jesus cited the second most important command: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37, 39). If you do this, you will "obey everything" and truly live.
Thank you, Father, for sharing with us the good news of Jesus. Help us to pass it on to others along with your love in action-with thanksgiving in Jesus' name. Amen.
About the author — John Van Schepen
Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.
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