Our scripture this morning is Acts 1:6-8.
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.”
This is Luke’s account of the Great Commission. Before Jesus returns to heaven, He charges his disciples (and us) to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth”. They ask Him if He will restore the kingdom to Israel at this time but He says that’s up to God the Father. As we know, we’re not the planning committee, we’re the welcoming committee!
One author describes our evangelism as a pipe and pump. We are to be the conduit through which God’s love flows, but we are not the source. When we try to do it on our own, we are merely empty pipes.
Adam and his descendants were dismissed from God’s presence, but by His ascension Jesus welcomed humans back into God’s presence. God has made a way for us to be redeemed and to be part of His plan of salvation. When we repent and return, we can be forgiven and go to tell everyone what God has done for us.
Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Your son to show us the way to be saved. Help us to be the messengers of the Gospel, sharing Your love with the world. Amen.
