November 5
Mark 15:42-47; Matthew 27:57-61; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Matthew 27:62-66; Mark 16:1-8; Matthew 28:1-7; Luke 24:1-12; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:1-18; Matthew 28:8-15
Last year my friend Wellington lost his battle with lymphoma. In his 6 1/2 foot frame and baritone voice, he resonated one message, and relayed this message unashamedly, "Jesus loves you". He didn't game plan. He didn't consider all the possible consequences if he offended anyone. He had a message and nothing would stop him from delivering it. We became friends around 15 years ago because he worked in the same surgical unit where I operated. We simply both sensed each others' love for Jesus and that is what forged our friendship. To understand the depths of his compulsion to share Jesus, one day, as he entered an elevator with a small female physician, he immediately told her, "Jesus loves you". He only had a few floors on the elevator, so he went right in and avoided the small talk. She told him that she didn't believe in Jesus, to which he informed her that her belief on Jesus' existence does nothing to lessen the reality of who Jesus is. When she said she was uncomfortable with the conversation, he lovingly told her that there was a much more uncomfortable place awaiting those who rejected Jesus. Wellington was reported to his superiors. He was brought in and was told that he would lose his job if he continued to talk to others about Jesus. At that time he was the primary breadwinner for five children. He, without hesitating, removed his badge and handed over his keys, and let everyone know in the room that if he could not speak about Jesus, then he could no longer work there. His immediate supervisor threw himself in the doorway and blocked his path as he moved to exit. He informed everyone there that he was the best and most reliable worker he had. They told him to please leave that small female physician alone, but he was free to continue to let others know about Jesus.
We read the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." Notice that Jesus' commission has no conditions attached to it. Leading up to this commission, we see an angel, then Jesus instructing the women surrounding the tomb He was in the day He resurrected in 28:6-8, 10, "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word....Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”" Notice: go immediately, deliver the message boldly and fearlessly. Don't procrastinate. Don't consider all of the possible responses first.
How do we fare in this area? Jesus' message couldn't be any clearer. He told us that we would face persecution. Do we love Him enough to put our jobs, our reputations, our friendships on the line? Not only are we to bring the message, but the concept of discipleship goes much further. It means that after we connect with an individual and lead them to Christ, our work has only begun. Now it is time to disciple them as we help them grow into strong and stable believers, able to withstand the difficulties which arise from following Jesus, and leading them to move forward and share the gospel message with others. This is how God's army grows.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: