Delivering and Receiving Good News

 This is Holy Week. It is the week of the year that was the last week of Jesus' life before He died on the cross for the sins of the world. It is the week when we remember the greatest event in the history of the world. Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sins, from eternal death, and from Satan's power. That is really Good News, but very few people have heard and received this Good News.

David's army faced off against all of the army of Israel that was gathered by his son, Absalom, as he tried to take the throne from his father. David was waiting to hear the outcome of the battle. (II Samuel 18:31) Then, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, "Let my lord the king receive the good news, for the Lord has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you." Think about this with me for a minute.  

There can be really good news, but until it is delivered to the people who need to hear it, that good news does them no good. The Good News of the gospel is for all people. We who know Christ are the ones who are directed to deliver this news to all of the people in the world. How are we doing on this? It would be terrible for us to know the Good News and not deliver it.

There is another side of this equation though. Once the good news is delivered, as it was by the Cushite to David, it must be received. The Good News doesn't automatically provide salvation from sins. That salvation comes when the Good News is received, and we repent of our sins and trust Jesus as Lord of our life. Only then can people be set free from sin, from eternal death, and from Satan's power. I pray that many will receive this Good News as it is delivered to them this week.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 19-21.