Participating in God’s Proclamation

Scripture:

“As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

(Mark 13:9–11 NRSV)

Observation:

Mark is writing Peter’s story from a period of time when the church is already being persecuted in Rome. The picture of this conversation between Jesus and the disciples is vivid because the words have come to life. Many of the leaders have already been handed over to councils, been beaten, and brought before the leaders of the world. 

The followers of Jesus would become participants in the proclamation of the gospel to all the nations. This was not to be by human effort but by joining in the work that God was already doing in the world. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit would be poured out and the good news would be proclaimed to all the world. From there the disciples would be spread throughout the entire world, carrying with them the good news of Jesus. 

In that moment the disciples may have wondered what in the world they would say to the leaders of the world. This was a group of fishermen, tax collectors and other “uneducated” men. The promise was for them, that they were not to fear for words to speak, but to relax and participate in God’s proclamation. The day of Pentecost would be a revelation to them as to how God would use them. The Holy Spirit would speak in and through God’s followers. 

Application:

There are those who believe that we need to devise a strategic plan to reach every country in the world with the gospel so that Jesus will then return, as if this work depends upon us. That’s not what Jesus is saying here, but rather, he is encouraging all of us to remain so connected to the Father that we are able to participate in God’s proclamation.

We are in the midst of the challenge of the Coronavirus and this is causing much fear around the world. At the same time, it’s often been through crisis that God has been able to call people to himself. When the world is seeking hope and peace for their anxious nerves, there is a draw toward the One who is greater than all the scientific solutions of humankind. 

The other day I was drawn toward a photo that showed prisoners being released in Iran as a result of the virus. While we may be praying that the virus go away — there are those who may be seeing the virus as an answer to prayer. God is at work in Iran in an amazing way with one of the greatest revivals in the world. Many of those prisoners would be followers of Jesus Christ, who may have been put in prison for their faith. What a miracle that the guards came and unlocked the doors and told them all to go home! 

When we participate with God we begin to see the activity in this world through a different lens. God is going to use all means possible to proclaim the good news and we are invited to participate. The key to all of this, however, is for us to participate in God. For that to happen we must become intimately engaged in our relationship with the Lord. That’s what Jesus was teaching his disciples. Only an intimate relationship with God will lead to participation in God’s proclamation. 

Prayer:

Lord, every day I need the reminder to rest in you and participate in your activity in the world. Please, help me to recognize your words, leanings, and nudges. Amen.