COLOSSIANS 4:16

“When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.”

I had an image flash through my mind when I read this verse. It was not a spiritual image, more of a memory. I remember sitting at my Grandma Carter’s dining room table with all the family gathered around it. We would have this huge spread of food before us, and after saying grace, we would begin passing it around the table. We made sure everyone got the fried chicken and potato salad. Of course, you have to grab one of Grandma’s “cathead” biscuits and then came all the homegrown vegetables. Yum!

Paul wasn’t fixing Sunday dinner, but he was giving instructions to the church in Colossae to pass on this letter to another church body in Laodicea. They, in turn, would pass the letter they had received (which we don’t have) to them. Today, we would just forward the email or the text, right? You have to remember that back in Paul’s day, letter writing was a laborious process, taking lots of time and resources. That’s why he wanted them to share with each other.

APPLICATION

This seemingly unimportant verse here at the end of Colossians is just as important as any other verse. Why? Because it is part of God’s Word! How do we apply what this verse says? Simple! Pass it around! Share the good news. You have been given the greatest story ever told – Jesus Christ came to die for you, was crucified, buried and rose again to give us eternal life. Woohoo! Pass that on to someone.

There was a song in the 70’s that was popular with the teenagers and young adults entitled “Pass It On.” The lyrics were:

It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
You spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.

Won’t you pass it on this week? Share the good news with your neighbor, friend or a stranger. Don’t keep it to yourself. Pass it along. Just like the fried chicken at my Grandma’s table, pass it along. Let everyone have the opportunity to taste of the goodness of God.

Lord, give me opportunities today to pass on the good news of Your Son to someone.