“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, In Samaria and to the ends of the earth”. After saying this, Jesus was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. Acts 1:8-9
Don’t rush out to buy a ticket to Jerusalem, Judea, or Samaria. Jesus’ directive to His disciples isn’t a literal command for you and me. As Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples were left with the Holy Spirit for guidance and assistance in following God’s commands, especially the command to share His message everywhere they went. The same is true for us-whereever we find ourselves.
God knows where we are, both in physical location and in spiritual maturity. He sees what spheres of influence we have, the places we have access to, the people we know.
Those spheres of influence may include our family, both direct and extended, as well as our neighborhood, workplace, and nearby community (our Jerusalem). From there, we move into areas such as our cities and towns and among our friends, wherever they are located (our Judea), and then other extended areas of influence across our region and nation, within our universities, government, and other places of impact (our Samaria) and well beyond.
We never know what God has in mind. But, Christ’s call on our lives is forever, and even if we don’t have the opportunity to go to the ends of the earth, we are told to begin with every place and person within elbow’s reach. We don’t go alone; the Holy Spirit accompanies and counsels us. His power will help us to become bold witnesses for Christ.
Barnabas Man 