“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2.

In the Christian community, this week is entitled “Holy Week” in celebration of the potrayal, death, burial and triumphant resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . and as I consider all that God has done for all humanity, washing away the sins of the whole world and giving us the right to choose His free gift of eternal life… my thoughts this morning are focused on what is our response for all of His goodness, mercy and amazing grace . . .  not just remembering our Savior this week, but everyday of our lives? “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53;5.

I’ve Got a Job to Do! Is a popular children’s book written by Dandi Daley Mackalli; it features the Great Commission given to the Apostles by Jesus prior to His ascension and still holds true for every born-again believer today. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19. “Mackalli, using rhyming verses, provides for us the story that follows a young girl as she shares the love of Jesus and the story of salvation with everyone around her: family, friends, and neighbors.

My granddaughter read this book to me and my dear friend Irene for a bedtime story when she was barely six years old, Yolanda is now ten and loves the Lord…the excitement and drive to share the story of this young girl telling everyone about Jesus, could not be denied in her voice. She exclaimed at one part of the story, “This part of the story is so touching, I think I am about to cry; she’s telling everybody about Jesus!”

I wonder if we adults are as excited about spreading the good news of salvation. In Matthew chapter twenty-one we find the account of the chief priest and pharisees upset and sorely displeased at the sound of the children praising the Lord, Jesus replied “And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” Matthew 21:16.

The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2. It is the propensity of man to turn away from the truth- but regardless, Paul tells Timothy to preach, proclaim the gospel at all times and to all people, rightly diving the truth, correcting those in error; and having the grace to know when to gently guide those earnestly seeking the way.

As born-again believers who love the Lord, and the souls of others; we must be careful, watchful, and willing to bear the painful effects of our faithfulness- truly our Savior shed His blood and died on Calvary’s Cross for our sins-but praise God He rose from the dead with all power in His hands and sits on the right hand of the Father! “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given untome in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18.

We must forge ahead, even though the road gets mighty rough- we must remain faithful and take all opportunities to make known the mystery of the Gospel… Revelations 2:10 states “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

So my friends, let us examine ourselves, are we open to the Holy Spirit’s leading and taking full use of our God given talents and ministries to spread the Gospel? We are soldiers in the army of the Lord, there is no vacation, we are always on duty…  and as the young girl proclaimed in the story, and so should we exclaim: “I’ve Got a job to do!”

Blessings, peace, and boldness of spirit to all who will spread the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord and His saving grace!