Understanding The Assignment

by Sandra Gilmore

Ken’s voice bellowed across the downtown square where passers-by scurried to appointments or meetings. Standing on the rim of the square’s fountain, his rich baritone voice conveyed the Good News message with an upbeat urgency. He cared about his fellow citizens. Whether they agreed or not, they knew his intentions were warm and sincere. He was often dutifully poised at this strategic spot during lunchtime sharing the Good News with resounding clarity.

At the corner coffee shop, Kim’s gaze alternated from her laptop screen to Ken’s perch. She soaked in the exchange between Ken and his bustling audience. Some truly ignored him. Some broke their stride to listen intently, however short their attention span. Some waved to him as they scurried along. She wondered if her online readers had similar responses.

Which communicator are you more like, Ken or Kim? Do you literally voice your message with preaching or teaching? Or do you prefer quiet methods like articles or conversations over coffee? Which is better or more effective?

We can take some lessons from the shepherds and from Mary way back at Christmastime. Have you been following this series? Check each month as we explore oftenoverlooked connections to this sacred event and wind our way back to Christmas.

A message came from Heaven with Good News! A savior was born. Simeon spoke of this savior as the “refreshing of Israel,” also translated as the “encourager of Israel.” What a magnificent message! In the Christmas context, we see two different missions for this message.

The shepherds couldn’t contain their amazement and excitement about this Good News. They told everyone in the area about the gift from Heaven! The term in the original language means to “publish abroad, make known thoroughly.” It’s the only time in the New Testament that verb phrase is used. What they did was unique and singled out in Scripture! Comparatively, Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” The verb meaning “ponder” in the original language includes our concept of “huddling.” It carries the idea of a gathering of ideas or facts from various sources. She conferred with herself about all that was happening. The term “kept” in the original language means to “preserve a thing from perishing or being lost.” Did she ever tell? Scholars say it was Mary who shared enough details for Luke to write his gospel book, written as a letter to Theophilus. Letters were the forerunners of our social media. The letters traveled around a good bit.

Are you a broadcaster given to speeches, sermons, or lectures? Or do you prefer blogs, emails, or posts? It’s the Good News that’s at the heart of the message, no matter how it’s delivered. Whether vocalizing from the town square, or huddling with a few friends, we all can understand the assignment: to know Jesus and to make Him known!

About The Author Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website: www.sandragilmore.org