News About Him Spread
News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee ~Mark 1:28
So, some context first:
Right before this, Jesus is in the Temple teaching away. But the people notice something different about him. He teaches with authority. They see that He's not tentative or weak when he talks, but strong and confident. He also had just healed a man who was possessed by a demon. It says that "the people were all so amazed."
What can we learn from this short passage?
Our culture, even our church culture, has this idea that we must rely on marketing and branding and advertising in order to get word out about our product. Here's a thought though: I don't think that's entirely true. Great products don't actually rely on those things, but rather use them as tools or as supplements.
I won't deny the power of great marketing, but Jesus goes so much beyond being simply a product that He speaks for Himself. If we, as a Church, are portraying him the way we ought to in our communities and cities, there will be a natural attraction. Or at least there should be.
Maybe news about us will spread throughout the region. Without the Internet. Without marketing. Without a "branding strategy".
Just maybe.
One thing is for sure, Jesus did it pretty well without those things.
