After Jesus showed Himself alive with "many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3), He gave His apostles this charge (our text)
It is very evident, when we read the book of Acts, that the early Christians followed through with Jesus' commission. The early church turned the world upside down for Jesus Christ. In the midst of persecution, they preached the gospel, and became the witnesses Jesus wanted them to be.
This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the power of God, He overcame death on the cross, and walked triumphantly out of that tomb. As Peter put it so well explaining the hope that we have in Christ, he said: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,..." (1 Peter 1:3) This "living hope" should motivate us to be a witness for Jesus Christ actively today.
Satan works very hard to have the church distracted, divided, and left in humiliating devastation. The plagues of pride and selfishness cause the church to lost it's focus on what is God's main purpose and pursuit. (Matthew 28:18-20)
It's time for the church to "Rise To The Occasion". It's time for the Christian community to be heard. Not just from her pulpits, but from the lips, and lives of her members. It is the same today, as it was in the time of the early church: people need the Lord. They need Him as Savior and Shepherd.
As Jesus arose from the dead to bring the world hope, it's time we as Christians, bring Jesus to the world of those around us. They need to have the same hope as we! That is our challenge today! GP
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