There is a journey beyond the cross. It is a walk of obedience, a walk of faith, and a walk into deeper understanding of the cross. When Jesus died and rose again, He redeemed many. Jesus’ blood is for the redemption of all who would place their faith in Him. Having accepted Christ ourselves, we now share in His desires and His purposes. As such, we have a commission to share the gospel and help others receive, and walk in the saving grace of Christ.
After His resurrection, and before His ascension, Jesus gives a Great Commission to His disciples:
[Matthew 28:18-20] – “… All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age…”
In the beginning of the book of Acts, we see similar instructions:
[Acts 1:7-8] – “And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 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.”
When we look at this commission from Christ, we can see the following things:
- God has all the authority and power – He is Ruler of the universe, King of kings and the Head of His church. He has the vision, and all the directing power. One of the phrases my pastor often mentions is “Lord, if your presence doesn’t go with me, don’t send me up from here.” This phrase is derived from Exodus 33: 14-15 which documents a conversation between God and Moses. Since God holds all authority, it makes sense that we should be accountable to Him in all we do. We need to speak to Him, and listen to Him.
PRAY: Lord, show me Your vision, show me Your will. Help me to submit to all Your ways, and lead me to walk in step with Your spirit.
- Because God has placed His Spirit in us, we are equipped and called to be witnesses on the earth – We can have confidence to speak, and share the gospel because of God’s Holy Spirit in us. This is the Spirit that assures us of our identity as children of God, that leads us into all truth, and that reveals to us the things of God [John 16:13-15, Romans 8:15-17].
DECLARE: [1 Timothy 1:7] – “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
- We are to teach others the things that God has revealed to us – That is, we are to show people the grace that is available through Christ, and to encourage them in faith. Jonah was a prophet who recognised God’s mercy, yet was unwilling to share it with his enemies. Let us share the good news to all who will hear it, labour with Christ for the salvation of all peoples, and rejoice with Him for the redemption of nations.
CHOOSE: Lord, I want love as You love, and speak what You speak. Give me opportunities to share Your word, and let me always choose to love selflessly and to share every good thing with others.
- We are to work with God in this even to the end of the age – This is a call to persevere and to keep vision, to “…not grow weary while doing good” [Galatians 6:9], and to cry out with the Spirit and the Bride “Come Lord Jesus”. In Revelation 22:12-13, Jesus says: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
PRAY: Lord, help me to persevere for Your kingdom. Help me to abide in You and to always serve and love with joy. I want to work with You for Your glory, and for Your kingdom.
The journey of Easter continues today. We are on the road towards God’s eternal kingdom, walking upon the cross of Christ, and contending for the salvation of the world. This is a journey that gives us glorious revelation of God’s character, shows us His desires, and equips us to be missionaries and evangelists in every area of life. At its foundation, it is a journey of intimacy – of growing closer to God, learning to worship, and learning to love. We walk with God through this yet-flawed garden of life, but look forward to the New Jerusalem. The purpose of the cross, after all, is the redemption of mankind, and the restoration of relationship between God and man.
[Hebrews 2:1-3] – “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him…”
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