My job at Christmas, or any other festive event, is usually to be the party planner. I genuinely enjoy dreaming up new ideas to decorate the table and finding fun activities to entertain the guests. I’m usually exhausted before the party starts, but I love seeing everyone enjoying themselves.
On Day 21 of our journey through Gifts of Grace, we open the Advent calendar door to the gift of commissioning. God does not need our help to save others, but he allows us to participate in the salvation of souls by giving us the responsibility to proclaim the good news of the gospel.
After Jesus was born, a choir of angels appeared to lowly shepherds in a field proclaiming the birth of Jesus. The shepherds hurried to find baby Jesus in a manger and “when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:17-18) They could not contain their excitement and “returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them”(Luke 2:19). The shepherds were the first witnesses to the gospel who spread the news of Jesus’ birth.
Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he commissioned his disciples to do the same.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
When you have seen Jesus and all he has done for you, you cannot help but tell others about his wonderful love. It flows from your heart and penetrates every area of your life. Since all believers are disciples of Jesus, all believers have been commissioned to make disciples of those we come into contact with.
To be clear, God can do this work without us. He can reach anyone anywhere if he so wishes. But he gives us the privilege to participate in the process with him. “The good works we are commissioned to do are not how we earn salvation but how we demonstrate that he has earned it for us” – Jared Wilson. We have received the gift of reconciliation and are now commissioned to spread this gift to others and not hoard it for ourselves. This means living a life evidenced by reconciliation and telling others how sinners can be reconciled to God.
“The power of salvation isn’t contingent upon us, but it does work through us as we share the good news with others” – Jared Wilson. We get to participate with Jesus in drawing others to himself. What a beautiful gift!
Who can you share the gospel with this Christmas?
Let me know in the comments below or by clicking on this link:
One of the Christmas carols that remind us of proclaiming the birth of Jesus to all is Go Tell it on the Mountain. This version by the Stellenbosch University Choir is one of my favourites.
