The Word (Weekly Devotional for Journalists) April 21, 2025 in commemoration of Easter celebration.
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
Reflection:
Easter is the celebration of resurrection—the victory of truth, light, and life over falsehood, darkness, and death. For journalists, it should be a moment to reflect on how the death of our Lord Jesus Christ would not be in vain by our following his commandments in our work.
We should reflect on the question: If Jesus were a journalist today, what would He do?
In Charles M. Sheldon’s classic book, “In His Steps”, three media-related characters took a bold step. They pledged to ask “What would Jesus do?” before making any decision.
Edward Norman, Editor of the Daily News, transformed his newsroom. He rejected sensationalism and used the press for justice, compassion, and moral clarity—mirroring the risen Christ who came to proclaim good news to the poor and set the oppressed free.
Clark, a Managing Editor, supported Norman’s vision even when it meant financial instability. His loyalty reflected the call to stand for righteousness even when it was inconvenient or unpopular—just as Christ stood before Pilate, silent and unwavering in truth.
Virginia Page, moved by faith and conviction, used her inheritance to support the transformed Daily News financially. Her generosity showed that stewardship, even of wealth, is sacred when done in Jesus’ name.
The only instance of Jesus’ writing in the New Testament is in John 8:1-11, where he wrote something which was not revealed on the ground with his finger when confronted by Pharisees about a woman caught in adultery, Mr Amaso Jack, Discipleship Minister and Lecturer, Nigeria Institute of Journalism, in a sermon titled, “What Will Jesus Write” at a Journalists for Christ fellowship in April 2017 outlined what Jesus would have written about if he was a journalist today:
Jesus will write the truth.
John 14:6 KJV – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
Jesus will write himself in us as His written epistle.
2 Corinthians 3:2 KJV – “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.”
Jesus will write the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:1 KJV – “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him.
Matthew 5:3 KJV – “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
As Ambassadors for Christ in the media, we should have the mind of Christ and let it reflect in every decision we make.
Today’s Call: As Christian journalists and media professionals, Easter should be more than a historical event. It should be a call to revive and enforce ethical standards and code of conduct that used to be the hallmarks of the profession.
Imagine what Jesus would do if Jesus ran your newsroom, your beat, your platforms, and more.
Prayer: Lord, help me live and work like You. Let my reporting, writing, and editing reflect Your truth, love, and justice. May I never be ashamed to stand for what is right, even when the cost is great. Teach me to ask daily: “What would Jesus do?”
Action Point: Today, take a moment before your next assignment to ask sincerely: “What would Jesus do if He were in my shoes, in my newsroom, on my beat?” Then act on it.
The WORD is a weekly devotional publication of Journalists for Christ International Outreach.
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