“But you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Before Yeshua ascended into Heaven, He commissioned His disciples to go into the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples of all nations. This accompanied His previous command, empowering them to go and heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils. He had already told them that even as His Father had sent Him, so He was sending them. These commands and the ‘great commission’ also apply to each of us as His followers and 21st century disciples. It is interesting to note how over the years we have watered down and diluted the words of Yeshua to become either a mere suggestion, or applicable only to someone who feels called into what is often called “full-time ministry,” someone employed and salaried by a fellowship or other charitable organisation to do it on their, or our behalf. As a result, we often tend to regard everyone else as unqualified to preach, teach or travel overseas as a missionary. Alternatively, we can even consider ourselves eminently qualified to do so, perhaps even more than our peers, or Yehovah Himself, would know to be the case. Nevertheless, we are ALL called to be witnesses to Yehovah’s working in and transformation of our personal life, firstly in our own ‘Jerusalem’, that is to our immediate family and friends. Once we have stepped out in our own sphere of influence, Yehovah will call us to do the same in our ‘Judea’, that is the next level of contacts we have with others, such as those we have a passing acquaintance with, people we meet and see on a day-to-day basis. Once we have been faithful witnesses there, He will open up opportunities to operate in ‘Samaria’s’, speaking to strangers and others we know very little, if at all. These tend to be people who would be less prone to trust and listen to what we have to say, but with whom Yehovah will give us favour and openings. The uttermost parts of the earth are those places and people whom Yehovah has said must be reached with the good news of the Gospel before Yeshua will return for His bride, the Church. Where are you witnessing on His behalf today?