On a day when we mourn more people killed while they were in a place of worship (there seems to be an evil and insidious pattern here), and we remember children and adults shot through church windows, it seems foolhardy to speak about boldness. Shouldn't we turn inward, protect "our own," and focus on keeping "what we have?" Where do we go for guidance? We always go to Jesus who is "our light and our salvation." What does He say, after a season of violence, persecution, and evil?
In Acts 1, Jesus is talking with the disciples. It is Jesus' last "post-resurrection" appearance, and He does not disappoint them with just fading away into heaven. Jesus continues to teach, lead, and give them a command. "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)." Most of you profess to believe Scripture, and would be offended if that belief was challenged. So ... as I break this down, let the question, "Do I really believe that?" float around in your head. Because these are not just commands ... the words here are statements of fact that Jesus is telling us WILL happen.
1. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" - This is a statement of certainty ... not a hope or a possibility. The power was/is there. Read Acts and you will find the story of how that power manifested in the early Church (Scripture). Read the history of God's Church in the world, and you will find times when God's power manifested itself in the world (Tradition). Reflect on your life and think about those times when the distance between heaven and earth was close enough to touch (Experience). Do what the old song says and "ponder anew, what the Almighty can do" (Reason). The power is available.
2. "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" - This is another statement of certainty. Jesus, here, is very specific in His statement. In Jerusalem, the place that is headquarters to this Church springing out of the Jewish faith ... a Church that was called "People of The Way." In Judea and Samaria, both the comfortable people (Judea) you claim, and (Samaria) the uncomfortable people (still your 'kin') that you don't claim. And, to the ends of the earth (everywhere people live, because the "earth is the Lord's and all therein." We are NOT given the option to exclude anyone ... God's command, not mine!
This begs 2 questions. Where is the power? What is the witness?
Here's my theory. Remember where the power comes from? The Holy Spirit. I have people ask all the time about the power of the Church, and if, in fact, the Church is operating our of the power of God. I imagine much of the Church living in a big house with dark hallways and people wandering around in the dark, bumping into each other. They are all either complaining or decrying the lack of light. "How can we survive and exist wandering around in the dark?," the people ask. They call on the owner of the house and whine and complain. The owner replies, "You might want to try turning on the light switch!"
What is the light switch? Maybe, following the owner's instructions (Matthew 28, "everything I commanded them"). Maybe, realizing God is sending us out to all these places to be His witnesses ... not witnesses for our petty causes. Maybe, buying into Jesus' statement, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25)." Maybe getting out of our nationalistic views, and realizing we are called/commanded to go to places and people we might consider inferior. God's instructions ... God's message (the Gospel ... not our schemes) ... other-focus (not self). "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine (Isaiah 9:2)." The light is Jesus!
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