Holy Week #4 of 8 Wednesday: Proclaiming Good News, March 27
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple” (Luke 21:37-38 NIV).
The Bible tells us little about Jesus’ activities from His Jerusalem entry to His arrest four days later. In addition to spending time with His disciples and praying, Jesus taught every day at the Temple. “All the people” came early in the morning to hear Him (Luke 21:38).
What was Jesus preaching that drew such big crowds, got people out of bed early, and inspired them to show up every day? According to Luke, Jesus’ message could be summed up in two words: “good news” (Luke 20:1 NIV).
People were starved for any kind of good news. Jesus’ teachings in Luke chapters 20-21 reveal some of their struggle: living under abusive, self-serving political and religious leaders, paying exorbitant taxes, dealing with sickness, and facing death—just to name a few.
Imagine the good news Jesus preached during those days. Knowing the end was near, He likely revisited His most important teachings: I am the light of the world, the living water, the bread of life. I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me will never die. Was Lazarus there, listening and smiling? Did he offer up an “Amen”?
All Jesus’ teaching boiled down to this: God sent Him, God’s one and only Son, to save. He is the Messiah. He came to forgive and give life. He offered love, peace, hope and healing. All they had to do was believe in Him. The people “hung on his words” (Luke 19:48 NIV). It must have been like rain falling on parched land.
Cancer is hard, and it delivers a lot of hard messages. The pathology report confirms it is cancer. There’s nothing else we can do. Your insurance rejected your claim. You’ll need a double mastectomy. You can’t work anymore. We can’t afford it. We need to call in hospice care. He’s gone.
We desperately need to hear some good news. If we had been in Jerusalem that week, we would have been at the Temple, too, soaking up every word. While we can’t go to the Temple, we can go to our Bible and hear Him.
The morning after my cancer diagnosis, I read the story of Lazarus in John’s Gospel. Upon learning His friend is seriously ill and close to death, the disciples encourage Jesus to leave where they are and go to him, but Jesus stays. Calmly He tells them with absolute authority, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it" (John 11:4 NIV).
In my room that morning, Jesus spoke those words to me. I could hear Him and feel His presence. I fell to my knees, and He lifted my spirit. Faith cast out my fears. That moment and the words Jesus spoke continue to sustain me.
If you spend time in God’s Word—reading, listening, or reflecting—you will encounter Jesus. You will hear Him speak. His message for you will be, as it has always been, good news.
Pray: Lord, in the shadow of the cross, You gave Yourself to teaching and preaching. Help me devote myself to listening. Help me to hear You. “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9 NIV). Amen.
Your Turn: Read Luke chapters 20 and 21. Use a daily devotional time for reading the Bible and prayerfully reflecting. Listening to Christian music can help open our hearts and minds to God’s Word, like Mercy Me’s “Word of God Speak.”
Michael David Gira Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
