This is what Jesus told the apostles, after He rose, and they had refused to believe the words of others. He came to them in person and He showed them that He was risen indeed!
He didn't stop there though, because He had a job for them. Once we know Jesus, and once we are given the gift of the Truth, we can't stay in the upper room, behind the door.
We have to go out. We have to take what we know and share it, with every creature!
We don't need a degree in theology, and we don't need a title or position. We need Faith in what we have seen and heard. If we have this faith we can't be silent.
"19But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ~Acts 4:19,20
The Apostles were hiding after the crucifixion, but once they realized that Jesus had risen, and after He sent the Holy Spirit to them, they were set free from the fear that drove them into hiding. Jesus put the mission into their hearts, and they couldn't be stopped. Once the Holy Spirit came to dwell within them, they had everything that they needed. They had the gifts that the Spirit gives to all that are baptized.
We also have these gifts, once we open our hearts to the Spirit.
We are charged with the proclaimation of the Gospel, and we have to speak it!
Why is it so hard to do that? Why do our hearts burn within us, and yet our tongues remain still?
We have to ask for courage, boldness, zeal and most of all love for the ones that so desperately need this word. Every creature.
Jesus never says anything that He doesn't mean. Every word in the Gospels is a treasure and has meaning for each of us. Every heart has a special relationship with the Lord. We can only speak what we know, but we do need to speak. We can't remain silent while the world around us is starving, and cold. The world around us is in bondage to the prince of lies.
The Word came to free all those that are slaves to sin and dwell in the dark, but the word must be proclaimed. It is ours to share. How to share it is for us to discover.
Each person has a special mission, and each of us will be given what we need for our part. He will not leave us without the provisions for the journey, but we do have to step out onto the road.
It makes me think of Frodo, when the fellowship of the ring is first starting the journey to Mordor. He goes out onto the road, not even knowing if he should turn right or left, but he goes. And when he asks he is given the answer. He can't know what is ahead, but he trusts that he will have what he needs when he needs it.
We also will have what we need, when we need it. Grace will be given and the right words will come. We will speak what He has for the people that we meet, in the "whole world" as we venture out onto the road. At first it's a little scary. You have to go out. You have to risk, and you have to trust that He will give. He will never ask us to do anything that He won't back up. If we love, and if we have faith, and if we step out, He will be with us.
No comments:
Post a Comment