There we stood, silently, arms crossed in deep concentration, as if we were viewing a priceless Monet at a chic French art gallery. But we were not in France, we were at our local shopping mall, enjoying an inexpensive date night, passing the time by window shopping. We would always find ourselves drawn to one window, that of Woolworth’s, captivated by those silly Magic Eye art creations. Magic Eye art? I may have lost some of the younger ones, so let me explain. Magic Eye art, technically auto stereograms, reached their peak of popularity in the late 80’s. Two distinct images, composed of dots, were overlaid in such a way that allowed the eye to see something in 2D appear as if it were in 3D, and voila, a hidden picture would pop out before your eyes. Some people had the ability to pick up on the hidden image easily, while for others, it was a real struggle. My husband and I would stand there for hours, both looking at the same picture, seeing entirely different images.
When the life of Jesus is presented to us, we are given four different points of view. All four Gospel authors viewed the same picture, but each had a distinct audience and purpose in mind. Matthew, the tax collector, strove to present the Messiah to his oppressed Jewish kinsmen; Mark, the missionary, demonstrated how the Son of God used His divinity to serve humanity; Luke, the compassionate doctor, a thoughtful man of science and careful observer of people and events, would open the door of salvation to the Gentiles, making sure that even the non-redeemable could find their way to the Savior; and John, the beloved fisherman, writes so that “believing ye might have life through his name.” And although their stories were presented from those different angles and viewpoints, all four of those accounts included the Great Commission, the marching orders of Christ, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all nations.” It has been said that last words tend to be lasting words, and Jesus’ last words to us would be to share what we have been so graciously given.
How is it that the good news of Jesus Christ still remains a mystery to millions, centuries after those marching orders were given? How is it that Coca Cola, Pepsi, Amazon, and McDonald’s have circled the globe and we haven’t? Is their product better, their budget bigger, or are they simply more committed to their commission than we are? Or is it because I have not done my part? Worth pondering, isn’t it?
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Lord, may I always be about the task of sharing You with a world so desperately in need.