The news can be quite depressing. Check it and quickly you find out about the latest war, controversy, political fight, or worry of the day, as well as death, disease, and despair. Watch it long enough and, with some people on screen being paid to be commentators (not journalists), you might just start to get angry or scared. By the way, that’s a great way to keep you watching—ratings, anyone?
In Jesus’ day, ratings weren’t calculated by how long you watched something on TV. Instead, it was calculated by the feet of the people. If someone had news to share, the people would come out to hear it. And someone many people wanted to hear from was John the Baptist. So, they journeyed to the wilderness to hear his news.
John was delivering God’s word to the people. He was bringing good news to them about how they could restore their relationship with God. John “preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven” (Mark 1:4). John’s message made some people angry and/or scared. However, John’s most important good news was about Jesus. John proclaimed: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am … I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” (Mark 1:7-8).
John would be arrested and later killed for telling this good news. Jesus would as well. Yet, when you have news this good to share, you’ve simply got to tell everyone—regardless of the consequences. John and Jesus weren’t talking about the latest gossip or controversy. They were talking about God’s salvation plan that would open heaven wide. They were talking about the Savior, God in the flesh, showing up to rescue his people. They were proclaiming, “The Kingdom of God is near!” (Mark 1:15). And that is news everyone needs to hear.
Reflection:
- Do you find it easier to talk about the latest world news than the Good News? Why or why not?
- How can becoming more biblically fluent increase your ability to share the Good News?
- John and Jesus lost their lives for the Good News. While you may not face the same risk, what steps can you take to start being bolder in your approach to sharing the Good News?