Start With One

As I read today’s passage I’m struck by the reality that our choices affect more than just ourselves. Our choices can, and many times do, affect the lives of the people who are closest to us. The sobering fact is that the people affected by our choices will in turn pass it on to the people they are close to. This is a cycle that is doomed to repeat itself. One affected person affects other people, and round and round it goes. 

The women in this passage faced a choice that would ultimately affect the whole world. You see, they went to anoint the body of Jesus with fragrance, as was the custom for dealing with the dead at that time. When they arrive at the tomb, instead of finding a dead Jesus, they find an empty tomb and a strange man telling them that Jesus has risen. This strange man went on to tell the women to spread the news of Jesus’ resurrection. 

Mark informs us that because of their fear they told nobody. The other gospels tell us that they did tell others of Jesus’ resurrection. I believe that the fear these women experienced made them contemplate not telling anyone, but they overcame that fear to tell the disciples the news of Jesus’ resurrection. 

Think for a moment, what if these women were the only way of spreading the news about Jesus and they chose to keep it to themselves? What would that mean for the whole world? Thankfully we know the women decided to tell people. More importantly we know it wasn’t God’s only means of spreading the news. 

As believers, many times we find ourselves in situations where there’s an opportunity to share the good news about Jesus. In those situations we may experience a range of emotions, but a common one is fear. Fear of rejection is a constant roadblock in our path. However, what if we are the last opportunity that person will ever have to hear the message of Christ and we miss it? One choice made, one person affected? Right? As bad as that could make you feel, what about all the people that person may have shared his/her story with and potentially affected? Our choices (good or bad) really do matter, not only for ourselves but also for the people close to us and the people close to them. It always starts with one, but one can become many. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father may you embolden us to share the message of your love. May we find courage to introduce others to Jesus. May our choices be guided by the purpose of bringing others into your kingdom. Help us to never miss an opportunity to go for the one. Amen.