Go And Give Good News
Go and share the good news that Jesus has risen and that all people can have the gift of salvation through Him.
“Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there…Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders…How would you advise me to answer these people?” They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants”…Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam…The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned…made him king over all Israel. Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people…Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.” 1 Kings 12:1-30
It is amazing how what God says will happen always comes to pass. He told Solomon that if he did not stay faithful his kingdom would be divided. The next thing we see is the kingdom dividing. Solomon’s son had a chance to unite the people, but he would not listen. A righteous king gives hope to people, instead Rehoboam had a heavy hand. Like the kings in this story, you have influence. How are you making life better for those around you? In this story the wise elders advise the king to serve the people. Jesus said he did not come to be served but to serve. How are you serving?
Two earthly kings emerge to rule the divided kingdoms. Jeroboam ruled Israel and he made a fatal mistake. Rather than listening to God, he listened to fear. He made idols and his actions cause others to turn from God to objects of gold. This could have been easily avoided if he had sought God and followed His ways. Are your words, actions, and attitude pointing people to God or causing them them to turn towards away?
“Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear…Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.” Psalms 3:1-8
This song gives a window into David’s heart and shows how he processed the pressures of life. David was honest. He did not say don’t worry be happy. Masking our concerns with mantras without honesty does not bring healing. David looked around and realized how many enemies he had and knew he was under attack. Where are you feeling afraid or under attack? Don’t run from problems, open up about where you need God to shield, protect, and deliver you.
David's defining decision is his choice to not let fear rule his life. He did not know how things would work out, but he decided that if he fell it would not be done while afraid. He chose faith in God over fear of what might happen. He sang of God’s strength rather than drowning in his sorrows. He said rise up Lord and take me to a higher place for you are the Deliverer, the Redeemer, the Almighty.
Where have you listened to fear instead of living with by faith with expectation that God would deliver you? Life would be better for each of us if we understood the power and promises of God.
“Eat friends drink, drink your fill of love…Listen! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one…I arose to open for my beloved…I looked for him…I called him…How is your beloved better than others…My beloved is radiant…His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend” Song of Songs 5:1-16
The friends of the bride encourage her to drink her fill of love. What if we all began each day with this mindset? Consider for a moment what you consume each day. Most of what we consume is information. How would our lives change if we began each day by consuming and filling our hearts with love? How much better than beginning by scrolling or seeing all the things you could be afraid of? You cannot give what you do not have. Fill your heart with love and you can give it. Fill your heart with peace and peace will overflow.
Like David, the bride thinks of her beloved. She thinks of how he is different. She says he is one who shines is light and speaks life. Think of how this relates to Jesus. Think of how Jesus speaks grace and truth. Think of how He taught His disciples to reflect Him so that others would see the God in them. How will the words of your mouth and attitude towards others reflect Jesus today?
“Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor…Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned…Free yourself from the chains on your neck…How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem…all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God…the Lord will go before you…and be your rear guard…my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” Isaiah 52:1-13
You will hear two voices. Fear will tell you that everything will go wrong. The enemy of your life, Satan, wants nothing more than for you to be afraid and live in the false. God tells a different story. He speaks truth and tells us He has a plan of redemption and salvation for all. He says shake off the dust and let me break the chains of your past and present sin. and He says clothe yourself in strength, be comforted, prepare to sing the song of the redeemed and share the good news.
Hundreds of years before Jesus walked in Jerusalem, Isaiah wrote of a servant who would save. He wrote of a servant who would be disfigured then raised, lifted, and exalted. Everything God said then came to pass. The story of the resurrection is that much more powerful when we consider how God told us everything in advance. Do not miss the call to carry the message of hope to the ends of the earth. God fulfills His plans through faithful followers. As a person who is saved you have news to share. Are you excited to share what God has done in your life?
“Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body…they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe…Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here…go, tell his disciples…He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven…He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:1-18
Jesus is alive. He has risen. The tomb is empty. Sin has been defeated, death has lost its sting, and the message of salvation will be spread to the ends of the earth. If we believe all this to be true, then why would we every be afraid?
The resurrection changed everything then and changes everything now. See how scripture points to Jesus. Earthly kings whose hearts do not align with God refuse wise counsel like and listen to fear. Conversely, David demonstrated trust by declaring the Lord was his shield and deliverer. The bride let go of everything pursued love speaking to everyone around her about the love she found. Isaiah called God’s people to awake, throw off their chains, and proclaim the good news of salvation. It is no accident that hundreds of days into our study these passages align. God has a plan and His promises always come to pass.
Every passage asks the same question: will you believe in the power, promises, and plans of God? Will you listen to fear, pride, and the opinions of the world? Or, will you believe in the living Word of God, walk by faith empowered by the Spirit, and share the good news of the resurrected King?
Do you see how God was working ahead of the disciples and he works ahead of us? Even the women who went to anoint Jesus bodies were worried about how to do the work. They did not know how they would roll away the stone. Yet when they got there, it was already moved. Just like Isaiah said God goes before us.
We have barriers to belief and living with resurrection power. Ask yourself what fear is keeping you from obeying God today? What golden calf have you been tempted to trust instead of the Lord? Are you filling your heart with God’s love like the bride, singing with confidence like David, and believing that the same God who rolled away the stone is able to move the impossible in your life?
Jesus’ words matter. His last words carry even more weight as we consider how we should live. He said go and share the good news. It is the same message from Isaiah and the defining call for those who commit their lives to Christ. This is not just for paid professionals but a priority for each of us who have been set free of our sins to share of how we have been saved.
God has not called us merely to admire the good news but to believe it so deeply that it transforms us to where we cannot help but share the hope we have found. Salvation should change the way we think, speak, and see. Faith is not pretending life is easy. It is trusting God has a plan and living with resurrection power so others see and believe..