Yes! There is Good News! 6.10.22

YES, THERE IS GOOD NEWS!
In our previous article I suggested that we all might accept the challenge
“to come to our Father and His Son and to seek out His ways and His
thoughts in His word.” Yes, God has set forth His ways and His thoughts
in the bible and He wants us to learn from Him.
I drive a school bus and have a great deal of interaction with school
age children. Sometimes they complain about having to go to school
and wish it were all over for them (All of us can identify with that!!) But
I usually try to encourage them by getting them to understand that we
never really stop learning. I joke with them and tell them that I am in
64th grade. We may graduate from high school or even from college but
learning is a life- long endeavor.
In the book of Matthew we read that Jesus “went throughout Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom
and healing every disease …” (Matt. 4:23) I cannot imagine that there
has ever been a greater teacher on earth than the Son of God.
In the New Testament we find the word Rabbi used several times
when the disciples and others addressed Jesus Christ. This word is
used as a term of respect for one who is considered a teacher; and Jesus
was known as a teacher. Even a prominent member of the Sanhedrin,
Nicodemus, addressed Jesus like this, “Rabbi, we know you are a
teacher who has come from God.” (John 3:2)
I suggest that there never was nor will be a teacher greater than our
Savior and now that we, today, need teaching and direction and insight
more than ever before I find it quite odd that more people are not opening
their bibles to learn from the one who can open their minds up to the
wonders of the universe and beyond!
I suggest that we are living in a world that is growing darker and darker
to the ways of God. And if you were paying attention, I just quoted a
line from the book of Matthew that Jesus was preaching the good news
of the kingdom. Friends, there is tremendous good news in the words
of scripture. Paul tells his assistant Timothy in his second letter to him
that, “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correction and training in righteousness, so that the man of God can be
thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16)
If you see that we are sliding toward darkness in this world, then
please take hope in what Jesus had to say in John 8:12, “I am the light
of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life.” Do you believe that? Jesus even went so far as
to teach in the Sermon on the Mount that we are “the light of the world”.
Several years ago when I was first asked to write an article for the
local newspaper, I desired to bring good news to you, the reader; thus
the title above. Jesus is the real teacher and He does teach about the
“good news of the kingdom”. His ways are perfect; so what is this Kingdom
of God all about?
Bill Rollins