“Proofs and proclamation”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Saturday, April 15, 2023
Mark 16:9-15,20 (Forward, p. 76) CEV p. 1052
One of the incredible things about the Christian religion is that it is both historically rooted and evidence based. As the evangelist Luke takes pains to point out, the birth, life and death of Jesus happened in an actual time and location; that is why he explicitly mentions who was in public office at the time. There is no mythology here, no ‘once upon a time’ quality to it.
And likewise, the testimony of what Jesus did during His earthly ministry and of how God raised Him from the dead, was given by those who had been with Him all through His ministry. As the requirements for Judas’ replacement clearly stated, “He must have been with us from the times the Lord Jesus was baptized by John until the day he was taken to heaven” (Acts 1:22).
Here, in today’s passage we see something of this again. Jesus has appeared to Mary Magdalene, to two disciples on the Emmaus Road, and then again to the disciples where they were eating. And it is only in this context—with the evidence clearly in front of them, with the proof of who He is so evident—that He then gives them a commission, namely, to go out and proclaim the good news. And so, it is not something ‘airy fairy’ but something very real, and very practical.
And so it is with us: the coming of Jesus into the world did actually take place, and produced incredible results—in His people, those who put their faith and trust in Him, in His church, and indeed, even in His world. And we, you and I, are heirs of that—and hopefully, continuers of that tradition and that incredibly good news. We too are sent out to proclaim it with our words, and our actions, to be living testaments and embodiments of what it means to live for Christ and be His disciples and followers in this world. Amen.
Forward notes: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (verse 15).
“During my first Clinical Pastoral Education unit, I had a male patient who wanted nothing to do with a female chaplain. I had to write up the visit and submit it to my supervisor: ‘I told him that I used to volunteer at a men’s maximum-security prison, and they didn’t have time for BS, either.’ (Regrettably, I did not abbreviate the ‘BS’).
“In retrospect, I was mortified by my phrasing, but that is what I was given to say in the moment. Thankfully, my supervisor commended me for taking a risk, and that patient and I ended up becoming friends until his death shortly thereafter. It is risky and counter-cultural to proclaim the good news of God in Christ. We may not always be eloquent, but meeting people where they are is in itself good news for those who feel lonely, angry, or estranged.”
Moving Forward: “Did you know that Forward Movement sends free copies of Forward Day by Day and other resources to people in prison, nursing homes, and hospitals? If you’d like to support this ministry of proclaiming the good news, visit <forwardmovement.org/donate>.