Acts 1:7-8 (The Message)
He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
Matthew 28:18-20 (The Message)
Go out and train every one you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the three-fold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I commanded you. I‘ll be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age.
Depending on what version of the Bible we read, the call to make disciples can be more than a little overwhelming. The Message using the phrase “far and near.” The New Living Translation says, “make disciples of all nations.” And the NIV relates, “make disciples of all people.”
All.
That’s a lot. No matter how you cut it.
If you find yourself, like me, overwhelmed by the task, consider flipping a few pages over to the book of Acts. Here, Jesus tells us the same thing, just breaking it down so folks like me can handle it. Speaking on sharing the Gospel and making disciples, our Savior instructs, “…And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Now before you begin inundating me with texts saying that this doesn’t clear much up, let’s take a closer look at it. Instead of the “all,” we get a manageable four places to make disciples.
Jerusalem. For Jesus’ disciples, this city was the center of their Life-change. It was the Holy City, the place where Jesus was crucified and then risen to life again. It was the place they were told to stay and wait for the Holy Spirit- God’s Spirit- upon Jesus’ return to heaven. It was their base of operations. It was their home. Despite looking drastically different and being located halfway across the globe, our Jerusalem is where we live- Greenville. The first place we are to share the Gospel and make disciples is in our backyard. We don’t need frequent flier miles or a church van to do that. We simply need to narrow our focus on those who need Jesus around us. Meet their needs. Compel them to come in. Share the message of salvation. Then train them in the ways of the Bible, so that they may grow in their Life-Change. So simple, yet so often over-looked. It's great to have a burden to reach the world for Christ. But in our enthusiasm to see the world, let’s not neglect our neighbors.
Judea. The state of Mississippi. Extended family and distant friends.
Samaria. Other parts and cultures of the United States. People you wouldn't normally associate with.
To the utmost part of the earth. To the world. Whether it be in person through a mission trip or via the World Wide Web.
When we view it from this perspective, the call doesn't seem quite the overwhelming undertaking.
It still, however, requires action…(stop reading now and get on that!)
