The Greater Tragedy

This past week, the world has been rocked by the deaths of three American entertainment icons- Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson.  Within minutes of the deaths of these Hollywood celebrities, I had received the news on my Blackberry from the New York Times.

Amazing, isn’t it- that within perhaps a two-hour window, the entire world knows about the death of the King of Pop, while two thousand years after the death of the King of Kings, the majority of 6.7 billion world residents have yet to hear even one bulletin, in their own language that they can understand, about the death of Jesus Christ?

Our world is consumed with three human beings who basically lived  for what was in life for them, while the eternal Son of God became a man, lived a short life to the profound benefit of mankind, and died a horrific, yet vicarious, death for all the world.  But can I ask a blunt question of Christians everywhere?  In the light of eternity, do you think it’s more important that the world hear the news about Ed, Farrah, and Michael or about Jesus Christ?

Let me be equally blunt about something else.  CNN, BBC, Fox and Sky News will see that the world hears every kinky detail of these three glamorous lives and  tragic deaths, but it is the responsibility of the Church to let our world know about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Breaking news always carries with it a certain urgency.  The world media tries to break their news stories before their competitor stations can.  As believers, as the Church, our competition is two-fold … Satan and time.  Simply put, we do not know exactly how much time we have to get the Good News to a dying world … and it’s almost eternity!  Time must be short!  Surely there should be an urgency in the hearts of believers to get our news story to the world!

Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”  (John 9:4 KJV)  If that work was important and urgent two thousand years ago when Christ walked in this world, how much moreso now!  Why should we be going with the Gospel with renewed urgency?

First, because we’ve been commanded by the Heavenly Father to “go and tell.”

Second, simply because we love God.  Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  Far too often, the lukewarm church of modern Laodecia wants to claim with the lips that we love Him, while the actions of our daily lives tell a different story.  As my mother used to say (and probably your mother said it too), “Actions speak louder than words!”

Finally, we should be going with the Good News because the eternity-bound world around us needs to hear the Good News while there is still time.  Jesus said it over two thousand years ago: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”

I refuse to sit idly by, watching my world sink further into hell, without giving my best shot at heralding the Good News of the Gospel far and wide.  If GOd’s ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, and if God’s arm is not shortened that it cannot save, then there is reason to believe that God will use any of us who are willing, prepared, and serving Him!

Most who will read this understand that, as believers, we have been given a task to accomplish … Go into all the world and make the Gospel available to every creature.  Each of us understands that time is short and eternity is only one step, one heartbeat away.  BTW, how far from eternity are you?  What impact are you making in the lives of others for eternity?

Folks, it’s almost eternity!  We must go!

BTW, do you pray?  If so, would you pray for Debbie and me as we travel today through Sunday night late to the Indianapolis, Indiana area?  I preach Sunday for my dear friend Rick Cochran and The Bridge Church in Fortville (IN).  We will also get to spend a few hours with my daughter Charity, son-in-law Brandon, and granddaughter Brynn tonight and tomorrow!

Brandon, Brynn, & Charity Geddes

Cheers.