When we were all in elementary school, there were days when we were allowed to bring something to school for a time known as "Show and Tell." It was always exciting because you would bring something very special to you and share it (along with its story) with your class.
In Sunday's Advent Gospel, John the Baptist has been put into prison by King Herod. In the last days of his life, John begins to ask, essentially, if Jesus really is the Messiah, or, should they be looking for someone else.
When John's friends come to Jesus and ask Him this question, Jesus says: "Go and tell John what you hear and see..." And what had been happening all around them at this point in time was that Jesus was healing the blind, the lame are walking again, and lepers are completely cleansed. He said that the deaf could hear now and even the dead are being raised. Finally, Jesus told them, even the poor of the world are receiving good news about life with God!
A little later (in Matthew's 16th chapter), Jesus would put a similar question to His best friends: "As you travel around, who do you say that I am?" What do you think I am all about? Did they have doubts like John? By their responses to his question (read Matthew 16 and see for yourself), they didn't seem too anxious in giving the answer Jesus was looking for, until-of course-good ol' Peter stepped up and shared his inner most feelings about Him being "...the Christ, the Son of the Living God!..." (Mt. 16:16)
Jesus was always trying to get His disciples to share what they believed. It was the one, single way that others would come to know that God's wonderful
plan of salvation was coming through Him. Ever since that day, it has been the primary task of the Church to do this very thing. Go and Tell.
Soon we will sing the CHRISTmas carol, "Go Tell It on the Mountain." It, too, is about the importance of sharing the story of Jesus Christ with everyone. Shout it from the highest point in your life if you have to! You don't have to be a biblical scholar or a great speaker: just share the story as you know it! Share from your heart.
Our Sunday School youth and children are going to share the story this Sunday (December 11) at 4 p.m. "M is for Manger" will be a wonderful way to learn about Jesus Christ and His birth into our world. If the children can do it, why can't we adults?
Go and tell. It's a story that, like when we were young and having "Show and Tell," we should all be excited about! It's a story that is very special to us, and, we should want to share it!
Go and tell. Jesus will be here soon at CHRISTmas! But it's not too early nor is it too late! Go and tell - by telling the story from Luke 2, or, by loving your neighbor as Jesus commanded. Both ways show the honest love of God. For, its true...
God loves you and so do we!
Pastor Jim