The last words Jesus spoke before He was taken up into heaven – Acts 1:8 – was the reminder of what we are called to be doing till He returns

” .. but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

I don’t like starting a post with a “but”, but I had to do it cos Jesus spoke something else before that to NOT do, which they do these days a lot without doing what He asked us to DO!

Now what is it that He told us NOT to spend all our time doing?

Just as they are today, His disciples were also curious to know WHEN is His coming and they were after Him after He rose from the dead and He told them, It is NOT for you to know that.

“So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority;” Acts 1:6,7

Does it mean that we should not be bothered at all? We should rather BE SOBER AND READY ALWAYS AND BE FOUND DOING what the Master has assigned us to DO, which is To be His witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.

THE APOSTLES OBEYED

His faithful disciples later accomplished it led by the apostles whom He equipped to go and they were witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and (suffering much persecution) even to the remotest parts of the earth in their time – which the people also testified.

They dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Acts 17:6

PAUL OBEYED

The same vision was carried out by apostle Paul after the first apostles’ time, who testified in Romans 15:15-20

But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And in this way I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already known by name, so that I would not build on another person’s foundation; but just as it is written:

“They who have not been told about Him will see,
And they who have not heard will understand.”

The first apostles and Paul have left us great examples of faithful obedience which we are called to follow in our days in our cities, surrounding cities, villages and towns and even to the remotest parts of the world going as witnesses not caring even for our lives (witnesses=martyrs) as apostle Paul said – so that he could finish the task God had assigned for him to do in this world.

“You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was beneficial, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:19-24

NOW IT IS OUR TURN TO OBEY

TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE LAST WORDS AND THE COMMISSION JESUS GAVE FOR US TO FULFIL IN THIS WORLD

Do not be overwhelmed by the task – the One Who called you is faithful and He will do it through you – but He needs us to obey and step out in faith trusting the Lord Who will go with us and the Holy Spirit Who is in you will help accomplish all that He called you to do.

Be inspired by this song ‘For Your Fame (Every Tribe)’ sung by my friend, brother and mentor who inspires me always towards ALL TRIBES AND NATIONS – ACTS 1:8