“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

 Last words are important. They communicate what is most important on a person’s mind, while reinforcing what needs to be remembered. In today’s passage, we find some of the final words and instructions of Jesus for His disciples prior to His ascension. There are two important truths at work here. First, the strength to do what has been asked of us by Jesus does not come from within. Our power is from on high. The reality of this verse was experienced on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the early church. That power is still at work today within the church and in us. We have all that we will ever need in Him. Second, every believer is employed in the task of introducing people to Jesus. His command to be witnesses should not be accomplished by verbal communication alone. Our life, as much as our words, is witness to the world about Jesus. What we do and how we live matters as much as our words. It is one of the reasons so many people are turned off to Christianity. They don’t see any difference between Christians and everyone else. Wherever we find ourselves, whether that be Jerusalem (your community), Judea and Samaria (your state and country), or the uttermost parts of the world, you are witness to the One who changed your life.

Reflection Questions.

How do people see you? Would someone else characterize you as a Christ-follower?

Where is there inconsistency between your life and your message?

How does it make you feel that someone else may make their decision about trusting Jesus based on what they see in your life?