The Mission

After a week of Vacation Bible School focusing on the message of Jesus as it was proclaimed by Paul in Athens, how could we help but take a few moments to reflect again on the message of His Kingdom?

In the final words that Jesus shared with His disciples before He ascended to heaven, we have the proclamation of the mission that defines us (see verse 7 and 8 of Acts 1). He promised us power. Not the kind of power that we often anticipate or think we want, but the kind of power that moved those with whom Jesus interacted in His life. His power was never about force or compelling someone to do something, but the power of self-sacrificing love that is only possible by the work of the Spirit in our lives. The kind of power that gives us something to talk about and bear witness to, not just in the little worlds that we carve out for ourselves, but into all the world . . . outside of our comfort zones, outside of the places we like to avoid, into all the world. What an amazing challenge! What an amazing honor!

All of which raises all kinds of questions. Are we a community that supports or suppresses responding to that mission? Are we willing to made willing to live responsively even if we don't find the levels of support we long for? Are we willing to do the hard work of supporting others in this, and building the kind of community that does the same?

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Acts 1

(TNIV)

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”