Jesus Said Share the Gospel

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Scripture: Acts 1:6-9 (NIV)

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

Devotion:

In Acts 1:6-9, we witness a pivotal moment in the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. The eager and hopeful disciples ask Jesus if he will restore the kingdom to Israel. This question reflects their anticipation for a political and earthly kingdom, reminiscent of Israel's past glory under kings like David and Solomon. However, Jesus redirects their focus from the temporal to the eternal, from the immediate to God's divine plan.

Jesus' response is profound: "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority." He gently but firmly reminds them that certain divine mysteries are beyond human understanding. This passage teaches us a crucial lesson on trust and obedience. Our human tendency is to seek certainty and control, but Jesus calls us to a faith that rests in God's sovereign timing and wisdom.

Furthermore, Jesus promises that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. This power is not for satisfying curiosity or achieving personal ambitions but for being witnesses to the ends of the earth. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to share the gospel and to be living testimonies of God's grace and salvation. This directive shifts the disciples' focus from a nationalistic vision to a global mission, emphasizing the inclusive nature of God's kingdom.

As Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving the disciples gazing upwards, we are reminded of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal reality of Christ's reign. The cloud that took him out of their sight symbolizes his heavenly authority and the promise of his return. Until that day, the disciples—and we as modern believers—are entrusted with the mission of witnessing, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In our own lives, we may find ourselves fixated on timelines, outcomes, and specific answers to our prayers. Acts 1:6-9 calls us to shift our focus from our limited understanding to God's grand, redemptive plan. It urges us to embrace the Holy Spirit's power, live out our faith dynamically and courageously, and trust God's perfect timing. Let us be witnesses of Christ's love, spreading the message of hope and salvation to every corner of the earth, confident that God's plan is unfolding exactly as it should.

Prayer:

            Lord, teach us not to worry about when you will return. Instead, fill us with your Holy Spirit’s power to share the Gospel where we are. Let our only goal to attain be the sharing of the gospel with as many people as possible. May we be dedicated witnesses sharing what God has done in us through Jesus Christ. Please help us be faithful to the one task you have given us as a command. Even so, come quickly, Lord. Amen

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