I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe – Ephesians 1:18-19a
I noticed a curious thing when driving through our greater New Orleans area town today: Every single newspaper bin was empty. This may or may not be unusual on the occasional day in which people feel an unexplainable urge for bylines, however, this was the middle of the day. Yes, people are clamoring for their own copy of the New Orleans daily – The Times Picayune – to read what they already know, their local football franchise is going the Super Bowl for the first time in its history. As if this were not enough, a recent visit to the website proclaims that the paper will be printing even more editions of today’s issue !
It the midst of a world with double-speaking politicians, terrorists attacks, wars, economic decline and natural disasters, it seems no one can get enough of what they feel to be “good news.” Everyone wants a newspaper.
It certainly is of no coincidence, but is of great consequence that the word “gospel” (ευαγγελιον – eu-an-gel-ion) means, “Good news.” We all need good news, now more than ever, and there are many who have never heard, “the saints will win!”
Yes, because Jesus, God in the flesh, has conquered sin, death, and the grave, those who are found in Him (the saints) will receive this inheritance – Himself, Peace with God, Abundant Life, Eternal Life.
One cannot overlook the irony of seeing a traditionally losing team rising to championship status, and the real meaning of the word “saint.” Though all who are Christians are in some sense a “saint” because they are called to be holy and set aside, the term is most often used in the New Testament for those who suffer for the sake of Christ. However, in the end, their suffering is not in vain, for they will ultimately judge the world (1 Corinthians 6:2), the “saints” will win. Everyone needs a newspaper.
POSTSCRIPT –
I do not usually add to or take away from posts that have been posted, but I have recently been made aware that many home delivery editions of today’s paper were stolen from off their porches or out of their boxes! Apparently, good news is good enough to fight for. People really do want newspapers!
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