Moving Out
Scripture Reading — Acts 1:1-14
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8
Climbing “The Priest” on the Appalachian Trail was quite a challenge. Though it’s not the tallest mountain I have climbed, I struggled to the top. Sections of the trail were barely visible, forcing me to scramble over rocks in some places. The splendid views from the summit, though, were worth the effort.
The last scene of Jesus’ earthly ministry took place on a hill called the Mount of Olives. Jesus went there often with his disciples. After much walking over three years, they had reached a turning point in their journey together. There Jesus gave his disciples a startling command—to spread the word about him from Jerusalem to the surrounding areas of Judea and Samaria, and “to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus’ disciples were completely unprepared and unequipped to accomplish this task. But he also gave them a promise. After he ascended to heaven, he would continue to be present with them through the Holy Spirit. With and through the Holy Spirit, the disciples were to begin sharing the good news about Jesus to all nations.
The book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament show that Jesus’ disciples did that. And where they left off, new disciples took over, all the way down through generations of Christ-followers to us. Thankfully, we have the promised Holy Spirit to lead the way for us as well.
Lord Jesus, fill us with your Spirit to share your good news and love to the ends of the earth. In your name, Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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