Matthew 28:18-20
(Use the link below to
read the verses.)
There
are a lot of things that can keep us from taking action. Fear, feeling
overwhelmed by an impending major decision or lack of confidence, just to name
a few. Also high on that list is the loss of a family member or a close friend.
Any
of these can send us into an emotional tailspin that can take hours, days,
weeks or even months to recover. In the meantime, we remain motionless at best
or even going backwards at worse. It’s as if our decision making ability, even
our instincts to survive, are frozen in time. We’re in a personal gridlock.
The
disciples were faced with a similar situation following the death, resurrection
and ascension of Jesus. They had lost their leader. They were afraid. What
would happen to them? Where would they go? What would they do?
These
verses in Matthew 28, are some of the last recorded words that Jesus spoke to
his disciples telling them in no uncertain terms that they were to go and make
disciples; that he would be with them always.
It
seems simple doesn’t it? Yet, apparently more was needed. In Acts 1, as the
disciples were looking up into the sky where Jesus had just disappeared, apparently
leaving them forever; they were unable to make a decision… unable to take
action. At that point, two men dressed in white spoke to them.
11 “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky?” NIV
In
other words, “Get up off the couch and get going. You heard Jesus promise you
power from the Holy Spirit. Nothing’s going to happen when you aren’t doing
anything. So do something and watch him work”. That isn’t in the Bible, but
they could have said those words to the disciples… and to you and me.
Matthew
28:18-20 is well known as the Great Commission. It’s often quoted and used as a
teaching tool for evangelism. It’s Jesus’ call to action. However, Acts 1:8-11
is also his call to action. Following this call, the first thing the disciples
did was to pray.
So,
why are you standing there looking up into the sky? Reading this devotional? Get
going! Do something! Get involved! Break out of your gridlock! Pray!
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up
before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They
were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men
dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they
said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has
been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen
him go into heaven.” NIV
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