Good Journalism

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!’” Romans 10:15

The news report read: “The Committee to Protect Journalists presented its 1999 International Press Freedom Awards to four journalists - from Columbia, Kosovo, and Pakistan - at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.”

The report told of the heroic exploits of four journalists who kept on reporting the news in spite of beatings, imprisonments, and death threats. A fifth reporter would have been recognized except he was in a Cuban jail for proclaiming the truth.

Two thousand years ago, and again and again since, men and women have put themselves on the line to bring the Good News of a great joy to mankind. They too have been beaten, imprisoned, and threatened - in fact for many it has cost them their lives.

I think of Paul in his report to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 6:4-5). I recall the accounts preserved for believers in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. My mind reflects on the lives of the apostles; men who were reportedly skinned alive, torn asunder, crucified upside down, and decapitated - all after torture and great hardship. Fox’s Book of Martyrs calls to my mind all those who’ve served and suffered and been slain.

But most of all I think on the Son of God who, for the love of God, came bearing Good News - only to be beaten and crucified for telling the truth.

So many have given so much so that we might know the truth and meet Christ, the Savior. Do not fail to pass on the torch!