Spreading the Good News
Patrick's Day is well known throughout the world. I am not sure what Patrick would make of the way people celebrate that day - drinking green beer and pouring green dye into the Chicago River and parades full of green-dressed floats and people. Patrick was a great man of God, with quite a story to tell. His first trip to Ireland wasn't his choice. He was 14 and he was kidnapped and carried off to Ireland where he became a slave. But while he was there, he finally realized that Jesus died to forgive his sins, and believed in Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.
After six years of being a slave, Patrick heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away, where he found a ship and, after various adventures, returned home to his family - now in his early twenties. I am sure he promised himself that he'd never wear go near that "green" isle again! If so, how wrong he was, for it wasn't very long before he was there again. Let Patrick take up the story: "I was asleep one night when I saw Victor, my former Irish captor, in a vision. He appeared to have come from Ireland with an unlimited number of letters. These letters seemed to shout with one voice: ‘We ask you, holy boy, come and walk once more among us'." The result of this vision was that he "was cut to the heart and could read no more. I could do no other than to return and share the good news of Jesus with these people."
And that is exactly what happened. Patrick went back to Ireland, spreading the Good News about Jesus that had changed his life. He introduced thousands of Irish people to Jesus. Patrick reflected on the legacy of his life this way: "I owe God ever so much, who has given to me such a great measure of His great grace, so that through my humble ministry, many people have been born again and become Christians."
People in heaven. That was Patrick's aim and ultimate legacy. It's like the Apostle Paul said about some folks he'd introduced to Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 2, verses 19 and 20. "What is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy."
Which raises the question to all Jesus-followers: "Who will be in heaven because of you? Who becuase you shared the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, has become a Christian?" But perhaps the more pertinent question for you right now, is: "When you die, will you be in heaven? Do you have the assurance of eternal life right now?"
God let Patrick know He was counting on him to bring Jesus to the people that he had "walked among" and had been a "slave among". Which raises another question: "Who are your 'walk among them' people?" Who is God calling you to witness to? They're the people who are part of the daily network and experiences of your life. Workmates, friends, family members, neighbours, and yes, even people who have done you wrong.
We've all got them - the ones whom God is calling on us to rescue. He says - "if you do not speak out...I will hold you accountable for his (or her) blood" (Ezekiel 33:8). Why? Because you knew what that person needed to know to get to heaven and you never told him or her. We don't need a vision. We've got orders. Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses, telling people about Me" (Acts 1:8).
As Christians, we are to share our personal story of what Jesus has done in our lives, and urge them to see how Jesus could change theirs. May it be that we, with Patrick and many others, will be able to say "many people have been born again and become Christians", because we shared Christ with them.
Patrick was in a very hard place when he made the greatest discovery of his life - a personal relationship with Jesus. By giving his life to Jesus, he stepped into a greatness that he could have never imagined any other way. Now, it may be that the hard place you're in right now is where you will finally find what you've spent your whole life looking for - that living and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ, who loved you enough to die for you and whom God raised back to life again on the third day.
God promised to forgive your sins, and raise you to newness of life, when you humbly repent of your sins. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17. And so if you belong to the Lord Jesus, share Him with others. If you don't know the Lord Jesus, repent of your sins and love and follow Him now, and then go and share Him with others who don't. Grace and peace.....