Personal Reflection of the Sermon

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Run, Don’t Walk!

On Sunday we heard about the events that unfolded after Jesus rose from the tomb. Specifically, we heard about the women who were some of the first to discover the empty tomb. This is what was said to them by an angel:

“And go quickly and tell his followers, ‘Jesus has risen from the dead. He is going into Galilee ahead of you, and you will see him there.’” Then the angel said, “Now I have told you.”
Matthew 28:7 (NCV)   

Upon hearing this command to go and tell Jesus’s followers that he has risen, the women wasted no time in doing so!

The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus’ followers what had happened.  Matthew 28:8 (NCV)

The immediate obedience of the women is what I want to focus on. Scripture says they were running to go and tell Jesus’s followers what had happened and though they were afraid, their fear didn’t stop them. They were eager to tell people of the good news they had discovered. In fact, they were filled with such excitement that they were literally running!
           
We are called to do the same thing as these women today. To share with people the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of salvation. What Jesus instructed his disciples to do, is exactly what we are to continue to do today.

19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

How many of us can truly say that we have the same eager obedience as these women?
I mean are we running to tell people the good news, or do we merely tiptoe around, waiting for just the right time and just the right opportunity?

What stops you from sharing the gospel with others? Is it is fear of rejection or ridicule, or thinking we aren’t knowledgeable enough, or perhaps we believe we don’t have time to do so?

Whatever it is, some of the very last words Jesus spoke to the disciples can help to conquer the lies that we tell ourselves that prevent us from sharing the gospel.

“I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.”   Matthew 28:20

Jesus tells his disciples that he will be with them, bringing them more than enough guidance, protection, and strength to do what he has asked of them.

The same is true for us today because of what Jesus did for us when he was crucified, died, and then then rose again. Because of this we can have the confidence that will enable us to obediently and boldly run towards others to share the good news.

Will you prayer this with me? Heavenly Father, please replace any fears that I might have with faith. I know that both can’t exist in me at the same time. Please help me to believe the Good News enough to feel the urgency of the need for others to hear what I’ve heard, to know what I know … and to know WHO I know: Jesus! I ask this in His Name. Amen!



Your writing team this week is Rob Tudball, Claire Walker and Peter Bowyer.

For the next month or two, the weekly agenda for these "stretching the sermon" posts will be:

Monday - Questions for reflection and discussion (for individuals, families and groups)
Tuesday - Deep dive: exploring one aspect of the sermon beyond what the preacher has time for
Wednesday - Reflection on the sermon for personal application
Thursday - Nerd corner: examining a technical or contextual aspect of the sermon
Friday - Reflection on the sermon for personal application

And Saturday will continue to be a story from one of your HCC brothers or sisters about how they are seeing God in this crisis.

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