The Art of Neighbouring Part 2Sample

TO BE HIS WITNESS 

There they were, gathered together—the apostles that the Lord had chosen.  Appearing to them after His resurrection, showing proof that He was indeed alive, they sat and visited with him about the kingdom of Heaven.   What an incredible scene this must have been—a fervor of excited voices, a captive audience of faithful followers and our Lord Jesus! 

There was a great expectancy that Jesus would tell them of his plans to re-establish the kingdom of Israel, but instead Jesus speaks to them about something different.  He tells them: 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8) 

They were expecting Jesus to take over the reign and rule of Israel, but instead he had placed on them an important mantle: to go into all the world and be HIS witnesses—to share with others about his life, death, resurrection and ascension; to speak of the miracles; to speak of his teachings; to be the bearers of the most important message the world would ever need to hear; and to establish his church.  Even though he was ascending into heaven, Jesus was leaving them with the Holy Spirit who would be with them, strengthening them and providing for them everything needed to fulfill the mission. 

The glory of that powerful moment in Acts didn’t end with those faithful elect.  The mantle didn’t fall flat from their shoulders to the ground.  It has been passed on throughout the generations and now rests with those of us today who call Jesus our Lord and Savior.  We, too, have been given a mission— to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, in love, to a lost and desperate world.  And we can set out on this mission, as confident witnesses, who are empowered and equipped by the Holy Spirit.      
 
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your redemptive love that brought to us the hope of salvation.  Thank you for Your sacrifice that made it possible for us to be adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Holy Spirit, we pray for the boldness to be confident and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, and to be mindful of those around us who need to know the hope and glory of Jesus!