N.E.W.S.
I love listening to the news! I want to know what is happening in the world. But more and more I question whether or not we can trust the news. There is so much talk about 'fake news'. Every newspaper, radio, and/or TV program have their own slant to the news. Is there news you can trust? What is news?
Some people claim that the English word NEWS is derived from an acronym formed from the words north, east, west, and south. Hence the word NEWS. Most likely, however, the orginal sense of the word 'news' is 'new things'. News is a report of recent events.
In the Bible we read a news report of recent events: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.... You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12) No need for a newsreader or a towncrier. This news report was made by angel of the Lord to a bunch of shepherds living out in the fields. The recent event was the birth of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem. Jesus, the Son of God, born as a baby in a country stable, became flesh and lived among us. This week in Australia, very few radio and television broadcasters will even remember this event as they report on Christmas celebrations. But it happened. This was no fake news. For the shepherds went to Bethlehem and discovered that "all the things they had heard and seen, ... were just as they had been told." (Luke 2:20)
I love this kind of news. Not only is it not fake news, but notice that this news was "good news of great joy." (v. 12) And oh how we need to hear good news today! News that will move us to joy. So much news we hear is bad news, sad news, or fake news. But to hear the good news that the promised Messiah was born, that our Saviour has been born, no wonder this news would bring great joy! A birth of a baby is already great news, but the news only got better as Jesus would go on to tell us of the love of God for all humanity, how our sins are forgiven through his death, and through simple faith in him we have the assurance of life eternal. And one day Jesus is coming again, not as a baby, but as the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Until then he will always be with us. Good news of great joy.
But not only is this good news of great joy. This good news of great joy "will be for all the people" (v. 12) Not just good news for you and me, but good news for everybody. All the people. Turn in every direction and this news is also for those people. Think of your home or your church. Turn to the north, the east, the west, and the south -- and remember that this news about Jesus needs to reach those people. The prophet Isaiah, who lived hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, told of the redemption that God would eventually bring to the world, that apart from him there was no Saviour, that the One who was our Creator would also be our Redeemer (see Isaiah 43:1-15). As the angel of Lord told the shepherds, God tells us in Isaiah 43:5 "Do not be afraid, for I am with you." This would be news in the truest sense of the word, for this would be something new, as God reminds us: "See I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:19) But it is also NEWS is the sense that this good news was for all people -- people to the north, east, west, and south: "I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth -- everyone who is called by my name." (vv. 6-7)
As churches we make it our priority to get this good news out to everybody. This might seem a bit awkward at first, but can I suggest to you that when you pray for the lost and the unchurched, physically turn to the NORTH and pray specifically for the people living there, north of you. A number of families in your neighbourhood, a bunch of homes in a suburb. Turn to the EAST and do likewise. And then the WEST and the SOUTH. Pray to our Creator and Redeemer that his sons and daughters will be brought to salvation from the four corners of your community, from the ends of the earth. And consider what you as an individual or you as church can do to share the good news of Jesus with these people. In word and in deed! For the news of Jesus is truly good news of great joy for all the people. People all around you. North, east, west, and south. This kind of news is not only good to listen to, but also such a joy to tell others about. And this is news you can trust. This is GOOD N.E.W.S. for everyone!
About the author
Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant: New Life Community Church, Pickering, Ontario(1987-95), and Bethel CRC, Listowel, Ontario (1995-2007). Jack is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity - 1983) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry - 2003) Jack and his wife Jeannie currently live in Petrie, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. They attend and are members of Bray Park Community Church. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren living in the USA and Canada.
In Isaiah 58:11 we read: "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Australia has seen times of drought and floods. There is another type of drought in Australia; there is a spiritual drought. But God promises to provide refreshing rain, a never ending supply of refreshing water. The water he provides will satisfy the needs of all Australians. As we take up the missional vision God has given us we extend the life changing invitation of Jesus: "Come! Whoever is thirsty, come, and take the free gift of the water of life!" (Revelation 22:17)
