[He] was preached among the nations…
Summary: This line in Paul’s poetic tribute to the mystery of godliness is potent. The key to God’s plan for saving humanity is that everyone should hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
If you lived back in the days of Jesus, how would you get the message of God’s love to people?
Jesus’ answer was to preach.
In fact, he got so good at it that people would come from miles around to hear him talk. Keep in mind, there were no newspapers in Jesus’ day. No telephone, internet, Facebook, or television. If you wanted people to know about something, you had to tell them … personally!
Of course, if you were a king or an emperor, or maybe a governor, you could have people go out and announce your proclamations for you. Come to think of it, that is sort of what Jesus did, too.
Before Jesus, John the Baptist proclaimed that Jesus was coming:
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Mark 1:3)
Before that, of course, there were the Old Testament prophets. Isaiah famously prophesied to King Ahaz:
”Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Then Jesus himself came and preached* to the people:
“‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” (Mark 1:15)
In three short years, Jesus went from being a complete “unknown” to being followed by large crowds wherever he went. At first, he personally invited people to follow him (Matthew 4:18-22). Then, he sent his disciples out to preach (Mark 6:7-13). Eventually, he couldn’t get away from people who wanted to hear him speak. Thousands of people hiked miles to a remote hillside to hear him talk (Mark 6:31-44). Another time, thousands more sat and listened for three days without food (Mark 8:1-3).
Jesus died. For three days, there was silence. Then Jesus returned, and this time he sent his disciples out as Apostles (Matthew 28:19-20).
And then he added one more.
Somewhere on a lonely road between Jerusalem and Damascus, an angry young Pharisee, flanked by a few like-minded men, was on a mission to capture Christians. Christ himself interrupted his journey and captured his heart. Instead of pursuing Christians, the young man became one (Acts 9:1-19).
He, too, was sent out to preach, not only to the Jews, but among the nations.
Application: Thank God for preachers!
Food for Thought: What can we do today to help preach Jesus among the nations?
*“Preaching,” by definition, is proclaiming the Gospel. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, May 4, 2026
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What can we do today to help preach Jesus among the nations?
I think the first thing is to prepare our hearts for service. If we listen to the testimonies of people who love God, there is always gratitude present in the words. This is because God has made them complete through Christ, and by Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and through others the needs of the individual are met. When we are humbled and grateful for the power of the Lord in our lives, then the desire to share that love burns within us.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Matthew 5:15-16 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
An analogy that comes to my mind when I think about this life is that we, mankind, are on a sinking ship. As followers of Christ we have been placed into the rescue boat. The captain of the rescue boat is telling us to help get as many people into the rescue boat as possible. We must make it our personal mission to see that effort through, because we ourselves know what it means to be drowning.
Romans 10:13-14 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
1 Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
We should be ready by studying the Word, seeking the Lord in prayer and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We should keep our minds sober, and not allow the distractions of the world to make us ineffective for Christ.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
We should pray for the Lord to give us opportunities to share His Gospel, we should look for those opportunities, and we should take those opportunities.
Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
Chris,
What a great synopsis! Gratitude – offering help – following the Spirit. Well done!
What can we do today to help preach Jesus among the nations?
I once read somewhere that , “ it is better to remain silent and let people think you are a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”
Job 22:21, Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.
Matthew 6:33, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
John 16:8, And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;
Our first priority is to submit to the Holy Spirit as we allow Him to prepare and lead us unto the ministry He has planned for us.
Thank you, Ron!
I really appreciate your emphasis on submitting to the Spirit. That makes everything work.