Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly. (v. 1 NIV)
When I was a young pastor, I occasionally had the opportunity to serve as chaplain at Cran Hill Ranch in Michigan. I remember we would often gather around the campfire with the kids and sing songs. One of them was called, “Pass It On.” The words of the song connect God’s love to a small spark that starts a warm, welcoming fire, just like the campfire that we were sitting around: “Once you’ve experienced it / You spread the love to everyone / you want to pass it on.”
When you read the New Testament, you soon realize that the apostles were not content to simply possess the gospel. The gospel was a message to be shared with the whole world. Paul and the other apostles were doing exactly what Jesus commissioned them to do in his last command to his disciples. Just before he was taken into heaven, he told them: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).
That Great Commission is for us today as well. But we can’t do it alone. It’s only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are able to do it. Therefore, we pray for God’s help.
As you pray, ask the Lord Jesus to help you as you seek to spread his message of grace and salvation.
About the Author
Rev. John C. Koedyker is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. He has served as a missionary to Japan as well as pastor of several churches in Iowa and Michigan. Until recently he served Muskegon Classis as its Stated Clerk for 18 years. He resides in Grand Haven, Michigan.
