Go and Preach the Good News (Mark 16:15)
By: Amanda Idleman
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” - Mark 16:15
Our lives can get so filled up with busyness, entertainment, family life, responsibilities, and on the list goes. We get so distracted that we forget to pursue one of the most central commands of our faith: to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone! The world is lost, hurt, broken, confused, and searching. Believers hold the truth, the answer, and only hope for our dying world.
This passage in Mark is known as the “great commission” from Jesus. Jesus speaks to his disciples from his resurrected body, offering them a parting charge to share God’s story of love with the world. Jesus’ work was complete and now it was up to his followers to share the events they had witnessed with the world.
God has always desired to partner with humanity to complete His good work. But the commission from Jesus greatly expanded who this message was for. The disciples and subsequent Jesus-followers were now authorized to go into all the world to preach the gospel to all of humanity.
The message the disciples were commissioned to share was the history of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Telling others the meaning of these events and inviting whoever would listen to accept Jesus into their hearts so they can enjoy the benefits of being a part of God’s family. As the disciples shared with others, they made more disciples who could reach more and more people with the story of Jesus. Today that same mission endures. Believers are charged by Christ to share his story, heart, love, and the message of his generous offer of salvation with the world.
How can you be intentional about sharing the “Good News” of Jesus?
Tiny actions done with purpose can make a big impact on the lives of those around us. When we are tuned into the Holy Spirit, He will guide us towards interactions that allow us to share our faith with others. God’s Spirit will give you the words to say and the boldness you need to step out in faith and share the message of His love with others!
These moments may be simply being obedient to the nudge in your heart to text someone you love a verse that speaks to their situation. It could be realizing the pain of a neighbor and making a card for them or writing them a letter telling them that God sees them and loves them. Sometimes it’s making time to have coffee with a friend that you know could use a listening ear and offer to pray with them. Most people are open to an invitation to pray together, even if they are not a believer.
It can be telling the story of Jesus to someone who has never heard it before. It could be joyfully supporting missionaries willing to travel to unreached people groups on our planet. You could even be the one who steps up to a pulpit to share a message of hope or travels the globe to spread God’s news to those who haven’t heard it.
Whatever the action, no step of faith is too small for God to use to make an eternal difference in the life of another human. His Word declares that all it takes is the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Let’s prioritize sharing the Good News as our hurting world needs to hear this message more than ever before!
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page, Blog or follow her on Instagram.
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