Category: Bible (Page 406 of 420)

Jesus told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world” (Acts 1:8, The Message).

Isn’t it interesting to think about the people who heard these words of Jesus and the world in which they lived? They heard the call to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, places they knew. They lived there, walked there, slept, ate and sneezed there. They spoke the language and knew the customs. They had favorite restaurants, or at least favorite foods. Although there were many differences, it was familiar.

You have to wonder what ran through their minds when they heard “ends of the earth?” The boundaries of the Roman Empire? Egypt and beyond? Persia and India? Were they afraid they’d sail off the edge of the world? They would have known little of Northern Europe and Eastern Asia, and nothing of the Americas. How did they feel about the ends of the earth? How do you feel about the ends of the earth?

Most of us are “ends of the earth” people. That is, we were born and raised and became followers of Jesus in a part of the world that fits into Jesus’ ends of the earth construct. Likely, you aren’t from anywhere near Jerusalem or Judea or Samaria. We had the privilege of hearing and understanding the gospel in our native land and language because a succession of men and women took seriously the call to the ends of the earth. Our faith is real to us because someone, or many someones, acted on the words of Jesus.

John Calvin, the great reformer, wrote these words in his introduction to his commentary on Ephesians, “The gospel does not fall like rain from the clouds, but is carried by the hands of men wherever it will go.”

Jesus said to go to the ends of the earth, to the whole world, to be his witness and to make disciples. As we’ve received this gospel, this gift and this teaching, it’s now our turn to go, our turn to carry the good news to the ends of the earth.

Is there an “ends of the earth” location God is laying on your heart? Ask God to show you the role He wants you to play in carrying his message throughout the world. Then, pray for the courage to follow wherever the Lord may lead.

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-29, The Message).

A dozen or so men and women gathered on a hillside, warm under the bright son. Over the last few weeks they witnessed a series of events unparalleled in human history. These were the most committed followers of Jesus of Nazareth and they came to this lonely spot to hear him teach. This would all be beyond belief if they were not experiencing it themselves, as Jesus hung dead on a cross only a few days before. But they’ve since seen him alive and spoken to him and touched him. One even stuck his hand in the wound on Jesus’ side. Jesus has eaten with them and reassured them. It’s been a joyous, miraculous celebration of Jesus. However, Jesus said he would not stay long and this was one of the last times together with these, his most devoted disciples.

So, what did Jesus tell these faithful followers? What instructions did he leave them? How did he encourage them to carry on? His directions were quite simple. But like all that Jesus taught, in his simplicity lies a depth of profound meaning.

Jesus told his disciples to GO. He told them to make more disciples, disciples from all nations. He let them know that his vision was not just local, but encompassed Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.
Picture it. A handful of his followers, mostly uneducated, certainly not powerful or wealthy or well connected. Sitting on a hill at the edge of the empire in a subjugated country. Jesus told them to go and make disciples of all the nations. What did they do next? They spread out over the world.

Jesus’ command to go and make disciples is as fresh today as it was on the hillside 2,000 years ago. What part might you play in this great commission? Where could you go?

Ask the Lord these questions, and then pray for courage to follow wherever the Lord may lead.

Starting this month, the YouVersion Bible App will feature a 7-day reading plan based on my book GO: Following Jesus to the Ends of the Earth. I’m excited to share this plan with the many people who have the YouVersion Bible on their phones and to encourage people towards greater involvement in missions.

You can access the plan through the YouVersion Bible app, or you can go there directly here: GO: 7 Day Reading Plan.

Over the next several weeks, interspersed with other posts, I will feature the reading plan on my blog. Either way you view it, I’d love for you to check it out and share your thoughts.