This is why we preach

Luke 24:46: “Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.’"

Jesus appeared to His followers in an awesome display while they were meeting. He scared them so much that they thought it was a ghost. He showed them the nail-scared hands and His side and they still would not believe. In another gospel account, Thomas said that until he could touch the nail-pierced hands and His side he would not believe. This same way of thinking is alive and well today. Many say, “Unless I see proof, I will not believe”. God’s answer to that is look around to the wonders here on earth and in the universe, to which only a fool can say there is no God. Unbelief is dangerous; unbelief can keep you separated from God for all eternity. Jesus made them feed Him before they would believe.

Once they got their senses together Jesus proceeded to explain to them that what had just taken place had been written about and had to happen. He had to suffer and die, and take our place on the cross, for our sins. The spotless lamb had to be led to the slaughter, because that was God’s plan for all of humanity. Jesus said that is why repentance and deliverance from the oppression of sin must be preached. There is a message that must go out to the world. That message is, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom 10:9 - Saved from what the punishment that we are due, the punishment that Jesus already paid. All we have to do is acknowledge that awesome gift that God gave us.

Christ followers acknowledge that we are sinners, that Jesus died for us, and that we now have a relationship with Jesus. We take on that clarion call to do what the scripture says and which is to preach repentance and deliverance from sin in His name to all nations. You may not preach behind a pulpit, or on a street corner, however in your daily life you are to preach by the way you live, talk, and serve. Are you preaching Christ today?

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: 1 Kings 14-15 New Testament John1:1-28