Wayne's House 偉恩的家

Philip Yancey (The Jesus I Never Knew) describes what he thinks life would be like if Jesus did not rise from the grave.
“After time, as emotional wounds began to heal, the disciples would seek some way to memorialize Jesus.

Perhaps they would collect his sayings in a written form akin to one of our Gospels, though with the more sensational claims excised. Or, along with Jews from that period who were honoring other martyr-prophets, they might build a monument to Jesus' life. If so, we who live in modern times could still visit that monument and learn about the carpenter/philosopher from Nazareth.

We could sift through his sayings, taking or leaving whatever we liked. Worldwide, Jesus would be esteemed in the same way Confucius or Socrates is esteemed.” However, the resurrection changed all that. Because of the empty grave Jesus is out there somewhere! We never know when he might show up—just like the disciples. We can't dismiss his outlandish claims as quaint sayings. We must pay attention.

Only 40 short days Jesus remained on earth before he floated into the big blue yonder. If Resurrection Day is most exciting for us, Ascension Day must have been most exciting for Jesus. Finally getting home! For his disciples it was a new beginning. For us life changes when we realize Jesus is alive and among us. Think about it. He entrusted his entire enterprise to 120 uncertain and doubting followers and challenged them to finish what he started. How have we responded?

Thinking it over . . .

What were the disciples hoping for that makes Jesus' charge to them so challenging? See Acts 1:6-7.

Are you challenged by this or overwhelmed by the charge? Can you think of the challenges that faced these early disciples in the assigned mission summarized in Acts 1:8?

How does the challenge of religious, geographical and cultural comfort zones continue to present a challenge to the gospel going into ALL the world?

How does the purpose that Jesus gives his disciples and us in Acts 1:8 tie into God's purposes for the history of humanity? See Genesis 12:3.

Do you believe in your heart that the world needs to be converted to faith in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead and is ascended into heaven?

How does Acts 1:8 give shape and purpose to your life and where you find yourself in life in this point in time?

How will you demonstrate this tomorrow? This week?

Scripture Reading
Acts 1:1-11