8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Perhaps during the recent Covid restrictions, you found yourself saying, “I’m all dressed up with no place to go.” Or maybe as the restrictions begin to relax you’re thinking, “I can’t go. I’m not rightly dressed for this or that occasion.”
In today’s passage, our commission as Christians, Jesus tells His followers that He will not only give us a place to go, but He also will properly outfit us for the journey.
First, let’s get dressed. Jesus promised that as believers we would receive His Spirit. The keywords are “will receive.” This is not optional for the follower of Christ. There is only one suit of clothes now in our closet, His righteousness. Upon receiving this new garment, we are clothed with heavenly power. The same power which allowed Jesus to accomplish His mighty works while here in a human body is now ours!
What am I to do with this new wardrobe? I’m all dressed up; now where do I go? “Be my witnesses,” our Savior commands.
So next the Lord gives His apostles and us an itinerary. We are to bear witness of Him as He leads us where He wants us to go. It may be the neighbor next door, at the supermarket, in the workplace, or across the world. We are to go in His power, sharing the Good News of His saving grace in both word and deed. A key part of that witness is our personal experience with the Lord. Because of the Spirit’s work in our lives, we as ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.
Another key word in our call is “both.” We can bear witness of Him not only in our neighborhood, but also to the ends of the earth. We do this by personally sharing and also by giving to equip others called to go where He has not led us.
Later, as the apostles stood staring in amazement at Christ’s ascension, a couple messengers from God asked them (my interpretation): Why are you still standing there? You’ve been fitly dressed, and you have been told where to go. Be busy until He returns!
As we emerge from the pandemic restrictions, perhaps we need again to ask the same question.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Have you received the promised Holy Spirit and thereby Christ’s commission to go?
- Where has He called you to bear witness of Him?
- Have you gone, will you be going, or are you giving for others to go?