WHAT DO HONEYBEES AND CHRISTIANS HAVE IN COMMON?
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1 Corinthians 1:17 (NIV)
I have an insatiable sweet tooth. Lately, I’ve been supplementing with local honey to replace sugar and artificial sweeteners, which not only has helped curb sugar cravings but has also profoundly eased my seasonal allergies. What’s amazing is the process by which honey is made. In a beehive, the honeybees have various jobs: the queen is responsible for laying eggs, the drones mate with the queen, and the worker bees are responsible for the housekeeping. If the bees failed to complete their jobs, the hive would suffer, and there would be no honey.
Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).”
As Christians, we have one job: to make disciples. What would happen if we chose not to fulfill the responsibility of our job? The Gospel would stop with us. Imagine all the people all over the world who would never come to faith in Christ if Christians decided not to complete the job. Sometimes we’re intimidated to share the Gospel because we fear what people will think of us, or we worry that our testimonies aren’t convincing enough. Jesus didn’t give us these parameters. He simply said to go. Do you realize that your obedience could result in the eternal salvation of a child of God? This feels like a huge responsibility, because it is! It’s so important that Jesus sacrificed His life for it.
In the Old Testament, God promised the Israelites that He would bring them out of slavery and into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. He has also promised that we who believe in Him and call upon His name will be saved, freed from our bondage of sin, and granted access into heaven. Just as honey is sweet, so is the privilege of sharing the Gospel with the world.
APPLICATION: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus. Write down what you might say if given the opportunity to tell them how the Gospel has changed your life.
PRAYER: Father, You are so good! Provide opportunities for conversations and guide me as I seek to share the Gospel with the people I encounter. Make me bold for You! Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?