Jesus said to his disciples: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Their mouths were open as they stood there, watching Jesus ascend heavenward, perhaps with the same awe as when we watch a space shuttle launch. Their next question had to be, “Now what?” The angels said, in effect, “Guys, he’s coming back, so it’s time to get to work!”
Forty-three days earlier, they had watched and listened as their Teacher had gone through horrible suffering and offered up his life, dying on the cross for the entire world’s sins. Three days later, he walked out of the grave alive, proving that his sacrifice was complete and accepted by the Father. They thought they had him back! But on the day of his ascension, he left them to return to heaven. But before leaving, he charged his followers, “You will be my witnesses…” Not, “You might be, unless it’s too much trouble.” Every believer knows how much Jesus loves us and what he has done for us. Every believer is a witness.
The disciples of Jesus began to understand why he had spent so much time training them for those 3 years. They went to work just as Jesus had worked with them, training deacons and others, equipping many believers to take their faith with them as they fled the persecutions that began in Jerusalem after Stephen’s death. History tells us that eventually all the disciples went out, with John the only one who wasn’t executed for his witnessing. All over the world, thousands came to faith!
But how in the world could eleven guys do such a thing? Jesus gave them amazing, explosive power, the power of the Holy Spirit himself, power to get up and go, no matter what the danger or cost…power that actually changes people into believers—3,000 at one time on Pentecost—simply through the message of the gospel!
The torch has now been handed over to our generation of believers. Same gospel. Same Holy Spirit. Estimates are that he is converting about 10,000 people each day around the world right now. He’s working alongside you, as you share what you know about Jesus. You’re doing that, right?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me saving faith through your Holy Spirit’s power working through the gospel. Because I know you and all you’ve done for me, I desire to share you with someone else. Increase my faith and love for you. I ask you to help me be your faithful witness. Amen.
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