8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Reflection
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what comes next. Maybe you’ve also been thinking about what comes next in your life. I’ve been thinking about how to move forward given all the changes that have happened in our lives, due to the COVID pandemic, in addition to everything else that makes up our everyday lives. Maybe you are at a crossroads in your life, a new stage in your education or work, your health, personal relationship or retirement. All of these life changes require our seeking discernment, making decisions and a plan of action to move forward.
After his crucifixion, the disciples and followers of Jesus must have wondered what would come next. Many believed Jesus had risen from the dead and many had doubts. All wondered what the future would hold for them. Should they just return to what they were doing before Jesus came into their lives? Over a period of forty days Jesus appeared to them, confirming his resurrection, answering their questions and instructing them for the future. Jesus then gave them a mission.
Jesus made it clear that as witnesses to his death and resurrection, for the forgiveness of sins, there would be no going back. No returning to what their lives had been before, but instead of wondering what comes next, they were given a new call to action, to be witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ to be shared “to the ends of the earth.” And Jesus made clear that his followers would be given the power of the Holy Spirit to be able to accomplish this global task. What comes next as his witnesses is to tell the world of God’s love, to make disciples of every nation.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering & Prayer
We weren’t first hand witnesses to Jesus death and resurrection, but we are living witnesses to the power of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and the life changing power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus has told us what comes next in our lives as disciples. To become disciples means we confess our sins, receive God’s forgiveness, and we are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. We are inwardly changed by God’s grace and given new life in Christ. We grow in grace as disciples of Jesus by worshipping and praying together and by loving God and others. We share this love to the ends of the earth, disciples making new disciples, sharing God’s love for the transformation of the world.
What comes next for you? How has your life been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness to the Good News of Jesus? God calls each of us to be witnesses, who can you share the Good News with today?
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your Spirit that empowers us to share the Good News of Jesus with others. Help us to remember that our lives are witnesses to your love. Amen.
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