The good news must spread!
Luke 4:43-But he told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is why I was sent.” (EHV)
How easy is it to move away from your home base and all the comfortable and familiar things in your life? Most of us would not want to leave a place we find comfortable and familiar. We even fear the day when we will have to move. Maybe it is because of a job, or a change with the family, or because of health. We tend to hold on to what makes us comfortable and balk at change.
Jesus was presented with this very scenario. Jesus grew up in Galilee for about 30 years. He was probably familiar with the region. Even though he was rejected in his hometown, Nazareth and kicked out, he made his new home base in another town of Galilee, Capernaum. Unlike Nazareth, he was welcomed for the most part in Capernaum. Even some of his disciples like Peter and Andrew had homes in the town. Jesus healed many people in the town and area from all sorts of ailments. He even healed Peter’s mother-in-law. News about him and the power he was displaying were drawing people to him. They had a great thing going. But then Jesus made the announcement, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns.” In other words, we are not going to stay in one place for too long.
Why would he be willing to leave a place that was familiar and comfortable? He was sent for everyone. He had to proclaim the good news to the places that accepted him, and to the places that would reject him. Jesus wants everyone to hear that he died and rose to remove their sin and give them life, whether they accept it or not. He revealed his glory when the good news was preached. This is the same good news he has proclaimed to us. This is now the good news we get to proclaim to others. This is great comfort for us! Wherever we are, even if we have to move to a new place we are not familiar with or do not want to be there, we have the privilege to proclaim the good news.
Spread the good news at home, in a new place, or even at the nursing home. No matter where the Lord leads you, you will find people who need the good news just like you!