THE WOMEN. Luke 24 says the women went to the tomb early in the morning with their prepared spices. Of course, they saw the stone rolled away and Jesus’ body gone. They encountered two men “in clothes that gleamed like lightning,” who told them Jesus was alive. What did they do next ? 

• When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. -Luke 24:9

THE TWO MEN. A few verses later, Luke tells the story of two men who were on their way to Emmaus. Jesus walked alongside them, although they didn’t realize who He was. Jesus proceeded to explain the Scriptures to them. After they invited Jesus to come stay with them, they finally realized who He was when He broke bread and gave thanks at the dinner table. What did they do next?

• They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. -Luke 24:33-35

THE DISCIPLES. Jesus appeared to His group of disciples when they were all gathered together in a room of some sort. They were trying to figure out what was happening, since they’d heard from the women and the two men that Jesus was alive! But they had not seen Him yet. They were probably also a bit scared. Then, Jesus was suddenly standing among them. He talked to them, ate with them, and opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. What did they do next? Well, Luke says they “stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” Luke’s next book, Acts, tells us that the disciples scattered across the world and preached about Jesus. I love the way that the very end of Mark’s gospel describes what the disciples did after their divine encounter with the risen Christ. It says: 

• Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. -Mark 16:20

None of these three groups of people just kept the wonderful news of Jesus to themselves. They all learned something incredible and then proceeded to talk about it with the people around them. Can you imagine how things would have played out differently if they had NOT talked about what they learned/saw/experienced? For one thing, the gospel message would not have spread out across the globe to you and me.

God invites us into His work in this way. He calls His people to speak His words to the people around them. How are you doing this? Or are you doing this? I am sometimes, but I’m certain that I am missing all kinds of opportunities to speak God’s words to the people around me. 

Charles Spurgeon said, “Scatter as widely as ever you can the blessing which you get for yourself; the moment you find the light, and realize that the world is in the dark, run away with your match, and lend somebody else a light.” 

When I read this quote in David Guzik’s commentary on Mark, my eyes filled with tears. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit blesses me with spiritual insights and treasures through the Bible, sermons, books, conversations, music and more. When I find that light, I too often just enjoy it and keep it to myself. The light of Christ fills me with a warm, cozy, joyful feeling that I cherish immensely. But rather than just relish that fantastic feeling, God calls me to cast my net as widely as possible and pass it along to others. I must run away with my match and lend somebody else a light! 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16

I love this verse in The Message translation: 

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16

So that’s it. That’s the word for today. Speak God’s words! Be a light. Don’t keep His goodness and joy to yourself, no matter how great it feels. Scatter as widely as ever you can the blessing which you get for yourself! Run away with your match, and lend somebody else a light.