13^th April

“So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking Him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our Kingdom?””

Acts 1:6

The first verses of the Book of Acts, boldly tell us that time and time again, after His resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples, fellowshipped with them and even ate with them. Yet for some of the disciples, Jesus’ resurrection surely would mean that He would liberate the nation of Israel from the hand of Roman oppression. But Jesus’ liberation was not just limited to an earthly Kingdom but was for all people, in all parts of the world, from then and forevermore. His liberation was not limited to restoring earthly rule, but restoring people’s hearts back to God through the forgiveness of sins, bought by His own blood. This was the GOOD news that needed to be shared.

Jesus’ answer to the disciples was that they must wait for the Holy Spirit’s baptism and empowerment, so that they too may understand and participate in the sharing of this wonderful news. And indeed, after the disciples were baptised with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they grasped that Jesus’ death and resurrection was for something more powerful and much bigger than the liberty of one nation. Jesus’ salvation was for all, everywhere.

Let us too not be limited in our thinking but think big. Trust Big. Pray big. And for so much more. We too can be filled with the same Holy Spirit so that we can be empowered to carry on sharing Jesus’ love and mercy to all nations. The time has come for Jesus to liberate all people.