This Message Proclaimed

And [Jesus] said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’” Luke 24:46-47

AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, Jesus proclaimed that his disciples should take the message that there is “forgiveness of sins for all who repent” to all nations. As disciples today, we should ask: Is this the message we are proclaiming in our own homes? Or do our children hear us proclaiming a message about good morals, good behavior, and good citizenship?

What is the gospel according to your family? Is it that if you work hard and treat people well, God will bless you? Is it that if you respect authority and go to church every Sunday, you’ll have a good life? While these activities have some value, they aren’t the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we want to be gospel proclaimers in our own homes!

Parents who verbalize the need to forgive, who find joy in being forgiven, and who lead the family in walking out genuine repentance are true gospel proclaimers. Children who hear Mom and Dad name their own specific sins that need to be forsaken will be less likely to hide their sins that need to be forsaken —from God and from their parents. Children who see genuine change in their parents will more easily believe that God’s power really can provide what is needed for them to change. Proclaiming the gospel in this way is more than simply challenging our children to accept Christ. It is living with the recognition that we are accepted by Christ and not on the basis of our good behavior, but because our bad behavior has been forgiven.

Lord, would you help me to humble myself so that I might be able to admit my own constant need of a Savior to ________. I don’t want to be busy giving lip service to a gospel that isn’t real and life-changing within the walls of our own home. I want our family to be a part of proclaiming your gospel to a dying world. Help us to begin by proclaiming to one another that there really is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.