No. 73, The Dynamic Desegregation of Israel

Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15, Luke 9:60

In Matthew Jesus tells us to make students (disciples), but in the Gospels of Mark and Luke all that is required is to proclaim the good news [that the curse of death is rescinded for those who believe.]

Once upon a time God chose Abraham through which He could make a ‘nation’ of His own to re-introduce Himself to humankind and through which He would produce a Savior. A distinguishing feature of this nation was that they be segregated. The Law made sure of that; purging thousands of people out of their homes and lands, because of a promise made sure of that too.

When Jesus told His disciples to proclaim the good news, He was suddenly telling them to de-segregate. Nevermore would the Jews be the only Chosen People of God. Imagine millions of people appropriating your tribe or family; imagine billions of foreigners calling your God, Father. This was a colossal paradigm shift and the point of His incarnation. Why?

Jesus came to make accessible Eden’s ripe fruit of the Tree of Life to undo the curse of death.

At the Fall, God posted cherubim and a sword flaming and turning to keep cursed people from regaining immortality. The flaming sword was the crucifixion. Jesus had to die on the cross because only at the moment of His death could He be 100% human, and therefore fully qualified to reverse the curse. By voluntarily going to the cross, Jesus demonstrated full trust and obedience, something Adam and Eve did not do. Through His resurrection Jesus resurrected all of mankind too, just as Adam and Eve cursed all of mankind.  Now aspiring immortals can eat of the fruit of the tree of life (Eucharist) and live forever and ever!

This Mark tells us to shout the good news from the rooftops, to make sure that every man, woman, or child on this holy planet of ours is shown the way to the Tree of Life. This is not confidential; this is not for an exclusive club, race or ethnicity. This is the good news that should be smeared on the cover of all the Times, the Posts, and the Heralds. It should be blasted throughout the internet, taken into every jungle and mountaintop village to let each human being alive know that immortality is available.

Every aspiring immortal is commanded to proclaim the good news. Tell people on the bus; tell those on the subway, on the beach. Don’t assume everyone knows this, especially these days. Don’t be shy. You don’t have to make them disciples; you just need to tell them how to get to the Tree of Life. Give them the choice to believe it or not.

This is a command, because it is the reason God went through hell and back. This good news makes us all one living family of God. Hurray!