Reflection of the Day

"But you shall 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 even to the remotest part of the earth."

Acts 1:8 (NASB)

As I read this verse in church yesterday, God spoke to me and opened my eyes to see the verse in a different light. Jesus says to witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The progression could be seen as geographical, since the disciples were in Jerusalem then. Or, it could perhaps be seen as a progression of theological understanding, from those who have the most knowledge of God, living in the City of David with the Temple, to the people of God in Judea, to the Samaritans who have an incomplete knowledge of God, and to the gentiles who have no knowledge of God. Well, not a likely view in my opinion.

The progression that struck me as I read this verse yesterday was: from people who are close to me (Jerusalem), to people who I know (Judea), to people who I dislike (Samaria), and to people who I do not yet know (the remotest part of the earth). And that was God's challenge to me.

It's simple to love the people close to me, to desire to bring the gospel to them. It takes a bit more effort to reach out to those who I know but am not close with. However, to people who I dislike? That's probably even more difficult that reaching out to those who I do not yet know. Yet, that's the progression God revealed to me. If I can't even come to love people who I dislike and desire to reach out to them with the love of Christ, how then can i do so with people who I do not yet know, to the remotest part of the earth?

God help me for He knows that I can't if left to my own strength, but by His grace, I will to do so, and I will do so, for I am compelled by the love of Christ within me. And I know, that God will orchestrate such situations for my growth, for the expansion of His Kingdom, and for His glory.

All praise and glory be to God.