We continue our series on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications. In the “famous last words” department, according to the last words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 28:16-20 (a similar account is in Acts 1:1-8), Jesus commands his disciples to go to the non-Jewish nations to make disciples. You remember that the entire cadre of disciples, and almost all of the first followers of Jesus, were Jewish.
Not only were the followers of Jesus Jewish, they weren’t very adaptable Jews for the task of persuading non-Jews to follow Jesus. Most of them were from the Galilee region of Israel, and they were poor and had the most basic of educational backgrounds. Peter, James, and John seemed to be the leaders of this group, and they fit that profile. Their main training was the three years they spent with Jesus. That was marvelous in and of itself, but not necessarily the equipment needed to cross cultures with the message of the faith.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything. The power of Jesus Christ became obvious both on that Easter Sunday and over the 40 days of appearances. Now there was a teaching and a faith worth dying for. The disciples knew that in reality they could only experience physical death, but in reality, like Jesus, they couldn’t be destroyed. The resurrection is an essential component to the success of the mission to all peoples.
Shortly after the ascension (which you’ll hear more about in next week’s blog), the Holy Spirit brought the resurrection power of Jesus Christ to the church in an amazing way. He came on each individual of the Jerusalem church, and he also came on them corporately. This completed a power triad that included the resurrection, the ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the church.The Lord empowered His church for witness to the nations with these things.
Looking back, the continuing progress of the gospel of Jesus Christ among all peoples is strong evidence that this power triad actually existed. How else do people with no power, money, or influence touch so many different people groups in such a relatively short period? They were witnesses of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. They experienced the power of the risen Christ personally when the Holy Spirit came. They became witnesses, and now we too are followers today.
Remember that this same power and same Spirit belongs to you. He can help you follow Jesus. He can give you power to be a witness for Jesus Christ yourself.
In Him,
Don