Parting Charge…Power to Make it Happen
This is our final full day in Atlanta. The highlight was lunch with our friends Billy and Carol Roberts. It has probably been three years since all four of us have been together.
This evening Mason has a baseball game, so we are looking forward to that event. We return home tomorrow in time to join my family to celebrate my mom’s 90th birthday.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:28-31
Often we focus on Jesus final words on the cross, but His final words to His disciples were spoken as He ascended back to heaven. Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts all provide details about what we call “the great commission.”
This was a time when Jesus earthly presence was ending, but the disciples earthly ministry was preparing to step into high gear. Jesus gave them the charge to make disciples, baptize and to pass on to others what Jesus had taught and commanded them.
This was their charge; this was their calling. This responsibility would define their lives and determine their future and destiny. To make them successful in their task Jesus, told them to “wait.” They were to go, but before going, they were to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had foretold and promised this to His Disciples during His earthly ministry. Like many things, they undoubtedly failed to understand what all of this meant, but they would find out. The call they were receiving, the task to which they were called, would be not fulfilled by their own charisma, intellect or ability. It would come through Christ’s presence and the empowering of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Jesus told them certain “signs” would follow those who believe in Him and follow Him. (Mark 16) This required faith on the part of the Disciples to move out, to act and believe for the Lord to accomplish those “confirming signs.” Jesus did not give them a detailed action plan or road map. Other than the instructions to “wait in Jerusalem” He only promised, “…I will be with you until the end of the age.”
As Jesus ascend into to heaven, angels appeared. Just as angels were present at His birth and resurrection, here they are at His ascension to heaven. At His birth they announced, “He is born.” At the tomb they announced, “He is risen” and at His ascension they announced, “He will return again!” I believe we can count on their word coming true!
For us today, it is important to remember that the work that is done for the Lord, is a “spiritual work.” That reminds us it is not accomplished by human abilities, but through faith, obedience and trusting the Lord to be with us, empower us and direct us in all that we do. Two thousand years of history and the call is the same, the promise of His presence and power is still true and the hope of Christ’s return is as real.