Our Jerusalem

“…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.”  (Acts 1:8) 

These are Jesus’ last recorded words before He lifted off and took His rightful place on the throne in heaven.  As a former teacher, I know the importance of last words.  As the school year nears completion, I would think of the most important lessons that I needed to teach before my students move on.  As someone who has said “goodbye” to loved ones, I know the importance of last words.  In that last visit, I want to be sure that the words I share are the most important ones that I can share. 

And as Jesus left, He wanted to be sure that these most important words were the ones left ringing in His disciples’ ears.  He knew that a lot was riding on them “getting it”.  He knew that the future of His kingdom was riding on it. 

He wants to be sure that we get it today.  The future of His kingdom is riding on it. 

It’s important to note the order of our call to witness.  It begins in Jerusalem.  The disciples hearing these words would equate that with “our community” or “our neighborhoods”.  They would know that they should first reach out to their friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, the check-out clerk at the grocery store, the Little League coach… 

It’s not hard to see where our Jerusalem is today, is it?  It’s our cousin, Mary, who has never accepted the Lord.  It’s the Smith family that lives next door.  It’s Bob, who works in the cubicle next to you at the office.  It’s Sarah Gutierrez, the little girl who lives around the corner from the church.  It’s Justin, who bags your groceries with a smile… 

Not only is God’s kingdom riding on our witness.   Their eternity rides on it, also.