The House That Jesus Builtનમૂનો

A House Built on Mission

The disciples were asking Jesus some pretty serious questions following the resurrection. You want us to do what? You want us to go where? Without you? How? When?

Jesus said all they would know is that until the appointed time and day of his return they were to remain on mission with the help of the Holy Spirit. “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).

As his witnesses, they were to tell people everywhere about the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in their local communities, neighboring cities, and countries, and all the way to the very edges of the earth. No pressure, right?

And as if that wasn’t enough, Jesus was then taken up into a cloud until they could no longer see him. I can imagine they looked at one another like, Well, what’s next?

Have you ever felt that way? Okay, God, I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. I’ve been following you for a while now. What’s next? I have, and it is the most terrifying space to occupy and at the same time full of endless possibilities to run with Jesus.

I expect those in the Upper Room felt the same way after their encounter with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Where could they possibly go from this? Literal tongues of fire sat on their heads; it couldn’t get any crazier than that.

Or could it?

What if it was just the beginning?

As we read throughout the book of Acts, we find that the disciples and those who joined their mission would do exactly what they were instructed to do, moving from prayer meeting to prayer meeting, finding themselves in both places of revival and places of resistance. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit would they remain on mission once the Church was born. The Lord added to their numbers daily through their obedience. Because sometimes “What’s next, God?” means staying right where we are.

Reflection Prayer: “Give us a desire to see the lost found, the sick healed, and the bound set free. Put us back on mission, eyes set on you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, help us follow you in both places of revival and places of resistance.”