Luke 4:43
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Scripture Insights
After several hundred years of silence, the world was in a dark place upon the arrival of Jesus the Messiah. He came with the following primary mission: “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). He authenticated his deity with the healing of many, including Simon Peter’s mother-in-law in the same chapter that today’s scripture comes from. He also healed the centurion’s servant and cast demons out of multiple people, including the man whose possession was so fraught and violent that he’d been banished to the graveyard.
However, what made Jesus tick was his incessant calling to “proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.” This same good news caused Peter and his brother, Andrew, along with James and his brother, John, to leave their fishing boats and families behind to come and follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18–22). Over the course of the next three years, these men would be transformed into powerful disciples, then apostles, who would carry out the mission of Jesus.
As I look at the news and hear yet another report of a school shooting, my heart is flooded with hurt and grief. Why did this happen? What motivates someone to go to such extremes? Do we need more metal detectors at our schools, or more restrictive gun laws? Is there any hope for our society? Yes, there certainly is! Jesus Christ makes all the difference. Lost and hurting souls need Jesus. Only Jesus can soothe the troubled heart and cause a restless soul to find peace in him.
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus, we pray for peace in the lives of our children, young adults, and indeed anyone who needs your peace today, no matter their age. We pray that all who are troubled can develop an intimate, life-changing relationship with you, the transformer. May hurting and lost souls find peace in thee!
—Charles A. Tillman
USA/Canada Black Ministries Facilitator, Church of the Nazarene
