An urgent gospel

We should not be surprised that the laborers are few while the harvest grows larger and larger. The price of following Christ is great and many of us know that , but the great price was paid by Him. The passage of Matthew 8: 19-22 is an invaluable teaching for us as members of his Body. The Word says that in the midst of the crowd, a scribe approaches the Lord and proposes to follow him “wherever you go”. Jesus, who knows the heart of the human being and discerns the thoughts, put him to the test by telling him that He, being the Teacher, did not even have a place to lay his head. Although the bible does not clarify it, it seems that the scribe left the place when he heard the Lord's comment. He was evidently unwilling to follow the Master under such precarious conditions for someone who was surely used to a better lifestyle. Later, another enthusiast comes to the Lord and tells him that he would follow him, but first he had to bury his dead father. Jesus invites him to follow him (Mt. 8:22), but there is also no biblical evidence that he did. You notice a sense of urgency from Jesus when he says "Follow me"!

In another account of the Gospel according to Luke, we are told of another disciple of Christ who promises to follow the Lord but asks him to go first to his house to say goodbye to his family. Jesus answered that he was not fit for the Kingdom of God who, putting his hand to the plow, looks back. Evidence that the disciple was not yet ready to go on the journey and suffer for Christ's sake. Any coincidence with our personal realities? Have you ever heard the voice of God calling you to follow him and have you shielded yourself in excuses like these? I hope not.

There is a tremendous truth in these accounts of the evangelists: the Christ we serve needs determined men and women who will put the Kingdom first at any cost; that they do not look back on what can be left good and comfortable (remember Lot's wife?), that they do not notice the sacrifices that have to be made, or worry about where their head is going to rest. If you are feeling the call of God, hurry brother (a)! It is urgent. The harvest is great. Preaching Christ is a privilege that should not be postponed until we solve our problems. "Yes Lord I am willing to follow you but first I must ..."

These three disciples missed the opportunity to follow Christ. Two volunteered but did not heed the urges of the Lord. Another was called by the Lord, but by his response, it is to be understood that he was not yet prepared for the urgency of preaching the gospel of grace. The kingdom needs people who take priority commitments, who take ownership of evangelism and embody the call to serve the needy and reach the lost. Just as “every pulpit is a fishing boat” * (V. McGee), at every opportunity we can erect a rostrum to proclaim the good news of salvation.

Jesus preached to large crowds, but essentially focused on the individual. Every day God gives us the opportunity to exercise personal and relational evangelism because we are in permanent contact with people. We do not need a special calling for that. I am of the opinion that every Christian who has understood the sacrifice of Christ and the price he paid for our redemption is spiritually qualified to witness and proclaim the Savior. We can always use excuses, but we all have the appeal if we are truly disciples with a vocation of obedient followers of the light. Either we carry our cross for real or simply display it on our necks or hung in our room as a simple temporary reminder.

Paul once wrote to his beloved Timothy: “For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, of love, and of self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord… but share with me in the afflictions for the gospel, according to the power of God ”(2Ti 1: 7-8).

God is looking for evangelists - also teachers, pastors, prophets, etc. –The children of God do not suffer from spiritual bankruptcy, since Christ canceled all our debts on the cross. Every day his compassionate mercies, care and kindness reach out to us. Why then are we so reluctant to listen to his love call to share with others the excellent news of God's gift to their lives? I encourage you to give it a try. The gospel is the power of God and you are a chosen one, without excuses, to shout it from the rooftops.

God bless you!

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