you is kind, you is smart, you is important . . .
how do you know that any of those might be true of you?
Consider Jesus' next act.
We are in the marvelous first part of Acts chapter one . . .
"After He [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1.9-10
After He had said what? Really, what could have been the segue to this climactic scene? You remember--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." And then He ascended into the sky before their very eyes.
Jesus looks around at those standing on the Mount of Olives that afternoon (the people closest to him in the world), and charges them, 'All of you, go and tell people about Me. You know what you have seen and heard--things that no one else has been privy to--now share all of it with others so that they may know Me, so that they may have complete joy!' Your attention: Jesus was commissioning them - bestowing authority, backed up with a command about what they had witnessed. So good. They were to tell their neighbors and town folk (Jerusalem); spread out to neighboring areas, (Judea), even those people who were hostile (Samaria), and keep going with the good news of Jesus Christ until everyone heard. When Jesus said to take the Good News to the outermost parts of the world, that is to you and me who live in the West. From where they were standing in Israel - we are the outermost part of the earth, those who Jesus was talking about. He had us on his mind that day. Hmmm....
Throughout all my growing up years learning the Word, knowing these words of Jesus were called "The Great Commission," I never thought of the full meaning. Jesus has commissioned you . . . and he has commissioned me. You and I, followers of Jesus Christ, have been given a singular, specialized message that only we can deliver - that is how highly he thinks of us--he has entrusted the sharing of the gospel to us! Wow. We is kind. We is important. We is smart.* At least he thinks so!
And then without further comment, Jesus ascends into the clouds. Luke describes the ascension as happening 'before their very eyes' because it substantiates the event as an objective occurrence. [each one of them saw him and could attest to Jesus' going up]. Seriously, can you just imagine the looks on the faces of the onlookers as that was happening? Some may have even fallen to the ground, I suppose.
As for Jesus, I believe he was only looking up, heavenward, ready to be with the Father again. And how joyous God the Father would have been that day! The headlines on the newspapers in Heaven were in large bold letters: JESUS, SON OF GOD... HOME! And now to add to the body of tangible evidence of a risen, living Lord--someone they could touch, those standing there saw Jesus leaving earth for themselves. Wow. Glorious! No one could change that narrative for them--they saw and experienced it personally. That is the way our faith is meant to be - personal - is it not?
Do you ever take the time to tell someone what Jesus means in your life? I know it is risky, but you have been commissioned, and you have the power and authority to share the life-altering truth of Jesus Christ. Look around you - people need Jesus. You have the winning lottery numbers, except you can share them and everyone wins! Go on - you is kind, you is smart, and you is important, right? Darn right and you're the one Jesus means to tell others of him.
Now's the time.
Christine
PastorWoman.com
* - you is kind, you is smart, you is important. aibileen clark, The Help
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