December 19 Be Urgent

Luke 10:4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
 
JESUS continues his urgent instructions to the 72 “missionaries” he is sending out ahead of him. Remember, our Lord is walking to Jerusalem and to the cross. His time is short to prepare many more than the 12 disciples to continue the salvation message after he returns to Heaven.
   Yes, a mark of discipleship is our urgency to speak of Christ. It is, though, natural for us to get caught up in conversations about many things that have nothing to do with Jesus and his salvation. Sometimes these discussions are very superficial. Many times these conversations are good opportunities to learn from others, and possibly others may learn from us. Good talks have many good traits.
   Jewish customs – as in many cultures – are built on personal relationships and friendly conversation. But Jesus instructed the disciples to specific speech. He commanded the 72 gospel missionaries to forego the casual and urgently speak only of the gospel.
   At what level do you rate your gospel urgency? Are you willing to speak of God at any moment? The other day I was talking with the woman who was cutting my hair. The conversation was general. We had not met prior, so we shared some family information regarding our children. She has a three-year-old. And she related how she was teaching him about “Elf on the Shelf” and Santa Claus, so he would “be good” for Christmas. Immediately, I thought, “I should ask her, ‘Is she teaching her son of Jesus?’” As you can imagine, it doesn’t take long for someone to cut my hair, so I knew I had to be an urgent gospel missionary.
   I asked her, “Are you teaching your son about Jesus?” She responded she didn’t think her son was old enough to know the real meaning of Christmas. Think of it. She could “teach” of Santa Claus, elves and the principle of “being good”. But she couldn’t teach of Jesus. I encouraged her to consider taking that step as her son is capable of understanding Jesus born in a manger. I pray the Spirit has changed her mind and opened her mouth to eagerly speak of Jesus to her son.
   There are two “urgent” lessons here. One:  When God opens the door – or instructs you – to put aside casual conversation and become urgent to talk of him, do it. I am distressed to consider the number of times I’ve let those gospel-talking-times pass to a “more convenient” time. Lesson Two: Children need to know early and often of Jesus. Time is urgent in a child’s life. They are quickly flooded with the culture to point them away from Jesus. Before they look elsewhere, it is a disciple’s task to focus their eyes on the Lord.
   Disturbing statistic: The average age of exposure to pornography is 5 years old!
   What do you want on your child’s, your friend’s, your cousin’s, your spouse’s mind: Casual, Culture or Christ? Yes, your conversations can and should be relational, uplifting and informative. But please be intentional for Jesus. Again, if you know Jesus, it is because someone was intentional to tell you. Time is short. As I write this, someone we know is lamenting lost opportunities to speak of Jesus to a friend who suddenly died. We don’t know when we will die or when Jesus will come. Remember, you get to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ! What a privilege and joy for you.  
 
Prayer: Lord God, open the conversations and open my mouth to be urgent for you. In Jesus’ name and the joy of his salvation, I pray. Amen.