Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region. (Matthew 9:30-31)
The call from a dear friend was simple. “What are you doing on April 23-24?” I paused to think. “I think I’m free.”
“Well, in case you’re not, you need to be. We’re goin’ to Augusta.”
Silence. Speechless. I knew what this meant. I never told my buddy that I wanted to play Augusta National someday. But he knew the obvious.
There were a few text message instructions that came with this “good news” over the next few days. A private jet would pick us up. Don’t be late. Do not put a travel bag on the golf clubs. No need.
You will not need any cash. No tips. Be sure to have a sports coat and tie for dinner. The coat must be worn when you arrive on the property. And don’t try to repay the member who made it all possible. Don’t try to pay for anything. Just say thanks to the generous member who has offered this invitation.
There were many lessons to be learned from the 24-hour experience, but I will mention only two.
One, it was a gift. Only a fool would object or think of reasons not to go or fail to follow the clearly stated instructions of where and when to show up.
Jesus’ invitation to eternal life is exactly the same. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Eph. 2:8 NLT). Receive the good news—the gift—and be thankful.
But the biggest lesson came from the fact that I wanted to keep quiet about this “good news.” Not even my wife would know about it until a week before. I did not want the trip to Augusta to dominate every conversation for six weeks.
But oh, keeping quiet was easier said than done. How do you not talk about such “good news?” How do you not work into the conversation something like… “Well, can you guess where I am going next month?” Not easy.
Or, “Sorry, but I will miss the Links Players meeting next week. I will be at Augusta National.” It took every ounce of restraint NOT to be a witness to this good news. Inside, I wanted everyone to know that I was on the way to “Heaven”- er, I mean Augusta National.
So, if it is true that Christians possess this “good news” of eternal life and heaven, why do we claim it is difficult to talk about? Why are we so hesitant to tell people this good news?
I hate to say this, but maybe we don’t ‘really’ believe it? Perhaps we have some theoretical form of belief, but have not gotten “the call”, like I did with my dear friend.
On February 6, 1970, I got “the call” — the gospel of Jesus was really “good news” for a young sinner like me, so good in fact that I found myself telling everyone. I even put a small bumper sticker on my golf bag that said: “Christ Died for our Sins”.
Are you on the way to Heaven? How do you keep such a secret? Go ahead. Tell someone. Today is the day.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the Call that Heaven is available to all who trust in you. I will not be afraid to share the good news!