Thought of the Day

Thought of the Day

Maybe when social distancing is a thing of the past, we’ll hug a little harder,  hold on a little longer, and remember that nothing matters more than the time we spend with the people we love

Three Point Plan

Travel light so as not to get distracted. Work hardest where your wok is appreciated, but don’t waste time where your work isn’t producing any results. It’s not just great advice for evangelising; it’s great advice for living your life. In today’s gospel Jesus is giving his disciples a three point strategy for spreading his teaching. First Jesus promotes single mindedness. The disciples must travel light unhampered by any distractions. How many advertising campaigns fail because the heart of the message is cluttered and confused?

How many Christians come out of church on a Sunday remembering only that they need to contribute to the church steeple restoration fund rather than remembering
the central gospel lesson. The second part of Jesus’ plan was to choose the best audience. We are all familiar with the street preacher who stands in the middle of the city precinct whilst tides of shoppers give him a wide birth. For all his good intentions, this person has not chosen an audience who are in any mood to stop and listen. Jesus advises not to stay where we are not wanted nor try to teach those who refuse to listen. Choosing the best audience and setting are all important.

Thirdly, make the message clear and compelling. Jesus tells the disciples to teach a message of repentance and to cure the sick. In other words, we are to instigate a change for the better in the lives of others. It’s a powerful message. Who doesn’t want to change for the better? Who wouldn’t listen if they were promised a better life?

So did Jesus’ strategy work? That Christianity is so strong two thousand years down the line is a great testimony to Jesus and the work of those early disciples.