Forty Days - Day 159 Month 6-8 Week 23-5
Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)
Joshua 19:24-20:9, Psalm 125, Jeremiah 38:1-16, Acts 1
Forty Days
It rained for 40 days and nights during the great flood. The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness. Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai before receiving the 10 commandments. Jesus was tempted for 40 days and nights at the beginning of His public ministry. After His death Jesus appeared over 40 days alive and showed many convincing proofs of His resurrection. The number 40 signifies a period of testing, trial, purification and preparation.
In this case, I believe Jesus was preparing His church to continue what He had started. The commandment He gave to his disciples before He left was to stay in Jerusalem but to wait for the Holy Spirit “not many days from now.” He goes on to tell them they will receive power from the Holy Spirit for one purpose. To be witnesses to Jerusalem (locally), Judea and Samaria (regionally), and even to the remotest part of the earth (globally).
I’ve often heard things said similar to, “it’s ok for you but why is it so important to send missionaries out to countries that already have their own beliefs.” I have noticed that many local churches are most interested in their own well being and growth that they do little if anything outside of their own local ministry. The directions Jesus gives do include local but include regional and to the world.
I grew up attending The Peoples Church in Toronto, Ontario. The founder of that church, Oswald J. Smith, focused his ministry on reaching the world but one of his motto’s spoke very loud and clear. That motto was “The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home.” The truth of that motto is a “both-and” mindset. That church has had a dramatic influence in the world and if you attend The Peoples Church, you will see more nationalities represented than any other church I am aware of.
I live in Parkers Cove, Nova Scotia. I care about Annapolis Royal, the town I live close to, I care about Middleton, a town about 45 minutes away where I attend church, and I care about Halifax, two hours drive from here. I also care about the people who live in Iran, Uganda, China, Ukraine, Russia and any other country you may mention. Why? Because my order is to be a witness locally, regionally and globally. I can’t turn my back on the 2 greatest commandments Jesus gave us:. to love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind and soul, and strength, and to love my neighbour as myself. My neighbours are local, regional and global.
To be very clear to you, the reader, I don’t want to coerce you to be a Jesus follower or wish for you to be like me. I want to love you in such a way that you see Jesus and want what I have. If you choose not to follow Jesus, I will still love you because that is what my God, Saviour and best friend asks me to do.
Have a great day!
Steve
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