So go (2)

Monday January 31, 2022

So go (2)

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

Whether a man crosses the threshold of his house to greet a sick neighbor every morning or goes to evangelize in a foreign country, his first step will always be the same. This first step begins at home with fidelity in small services.

The geographical limits of the witness entrusted to the children of God are variable. The testimony of the apostles was to begin in Jerusalem, the very city where the Lord was crucified. Then Judea, then Samaria ; finally, their testimony would reach the extremities of the then known world - the pagan countries - until then remained foreign to divine revelation. Travel and communication were much more difficult than today, yet the book of Acts shows that the gospel of grace spread very quickly.

The space known at the time was essentially the Mediterranean rim. We know from secular history that the gospel quickly moved beyond these limits to the south and northwest. Even if no text has come down to us, the Gospel probably also spread very early in the east, towards India.

The mandate that Jesus gave to his apostles : “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” is also ours (Matthew 28:19). To evangelize foreign populations, we do not necessarily have to travel. Those who live in a city have the opportunity to meet people of different ethnicities, religions or social backgrounds. Let us approach them to speak to them of the love of God. Witnessing is simply saying what God has done for us.

Of course, it is impossible to carry out this beautiful and great program by our own resources. The power of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to Christian witness : “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses. We are not left alone to fulfill our mission : the Lord "cooperates" with his witnesses (Mark 16:20) and promises them his faithful presence : "And I am with you always until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

So let us take courage and be faithful in our role of witnesses, where we are and, if the Lord calls us, to the ends of the earth.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)