Go and Tell!

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:16-20 NRSV)

The shepherds did not waste any time. When they heard about this miracle child they went and saw him for themselves and then they went and told what they had seen to others.

What has God shown you? What miracles have you beheld? When was the last time you shared the story about our miraculous and awesome God with others? 

During this Advent and Christmas season; above all other times of the year, we have been given the opportunity to share the Good News that accompanies the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

Go and tell, glorifying God for this precious child!

May your Christmas and New Year be filled with hope, love, joy, and peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Go and Tell!

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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 you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20 NIV)

He is risen! We have just celebrated Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Now what? Does the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead as he had promised have any impact on the way you live your life today? It should! He is risen. There is no reason that you should not be risen, as well. It is not time to go and share that story with the world; with the people around you; with your friends and family; with your neighbors.

He is risen. He is risen for you. Because he lives, so shall all who believe in him. Now, go and tell making disciples of all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Go And Tell!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
                                                                                                         Matthew 28:5-10 NIV

Upon arriving at the tomb, the two Marys encounter an angel of the Lord sitting on the stone that had been used to seal the tomb. But, now the tomb is no longer sealed. Jesus is not there. He is risen and on his way to Galilee! The women are a bit fearful, but filled with joyful excitement, as the angel tells them to go and tell the disciples what has happened. The guards are also there. They appear to be in some sort of shock at the sight of the angel and the empty tomb. 

The women meet Jesus as the hurry away to tell the disciples what they have heard and seen. "Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Go and tell!

The guards go and tell the chief priests what they have seen and heard. The chief priests respond by telling the guards to go and tell everyone that you fell asleep on guard duty and that Jesus' followers came and stole his body. The chief priests, a bit fearful of the truth that Jesus had taught would continue on and change their lives forever, wanted the truth stopped. Go and tell! Go and tell a lie!

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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 you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:16-20)

Go and tell! We all share stories of our lives; of our loves; and of our fears. What is the story you share with others? Without sharing the story of Jesus life on earth; his gift of life to us; how can disciples be made? Go and tell!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Go and See; Then, Go And Tell!

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:16-20 NIV

When the Shepherds heard the Good News from the angel, they rushed off to witness it for themselves. I'm praying, today, that the multitudes will rush off like those hopeful shepherds to go and see; to go and hear the Good News that will be proclaimed in congregations around the world this Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  And, after they heard the message, after they went to the manger; then, they went and told other about what they had seen and heard.

Let us do likewise so that the whole world will know; unto us a Savior was born!

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

P.S. Worship at Christ Lutheran, 2323 N. State St., Bunnell, FL is at 5 pm today and 10 am on Christmas morn.