Acts 2:36- Let all the house of Isreal therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
As I sat and read this verse this morning my mind wandered a bit to the ministry we did in Mogollon this past month: door to door evangelism, presentations in schools, prayer meetings with the church ladies, three days of painting the church. Much of it brought out our feelings of inadequacies. One time or another at least one of us uttered the phrase, “I have no idea what I’m doing”. Sometimes we felt terribly awkward either because we didn’t know the language or because what we were asked to do was outside of our comfort zones as of yet as Christians. As I fondly remembered all these treasured moments, the verse above seemed to tie everything together. It seemed to give an explanation for it all. Behind each project there was a common thread of motivation that my team focused on and from which we drew energy and purpose. Can’t see it? Let me explain.
This verse was given at a very pivotal time for Israel. It was a new day in Jerusalem. The greatest religious historical event had just taken place(although most had no idea): the Son of God had come, died, rose and ascended into Heaven. Whether they knew it or not, that is exactly what had just happened. Before their eyes, every scripture and prophecy about the One who would bring salvation had been fulfilled to the utmost by this man, Jesus. The eyes of the Israelites should have been wide open. All those years living by the Law, many zapped when they decided to detour from it, and evenings spent searching the horizon for their savior should have culminated in the moment that Jesus rose from the grave. But the moment had come…and it had gone, but their eyes were not open. They missed it.
Peter continues to speak in this passage of the promise that is for them (the Israelites) and for their children if they do believe. He continued to preach the name of Jesus. Despite not hearing when Jesus himself had spoken, all of a sudden 3000 were saved that day! Why?
You know how you tend to tune out things you have heard a million times? But when someone puts a new spin on it or tells it with a new, refreshing tone, you tend to perk up a bit. Suddenly it is interesting and persuasive. I can imagine the change they heard in Peter’s tone that day. Rules and restrictions were no longer the emphasis, but rather eternal relationship with the Heavenly Father. Heads start popping up; people start hushing those around them. What did he just say? Law was no longer being preached from the pulpit, but instead sweet words such as grace and freedom and release were being spoken. And not only were these words being explained in context to their lives, they were being offered as gifts for the taking! I’m sure not only were some drooling with desire, but most likely hearts were pounding with passionate desperation for a gift like this. How could they get it?? How could they secure it for their children and their children’s children??
The old Newsboys song just went through my mind which simply says, “there’s only way”. You don’t get all of it through whatever makes you feel good in the moment. You don’t get it through one way while someone else finds it their own way. What allows you access to all of those things is calling on one name, and one name alone- the name of Jesus. He offers it all freely, no strings attached…but He will not share the glory. All He asks for in return is that you worship Him, thank Him, fall before Him in humility. He’ll take it .
So, He is who we spoke about in Mogollon. We didn’t have any money to give or supplies to build up the church’s craft closet…all we had to offer was Jesus. Eternal relationship, release from chains, forgiveness of sins, healing of both physical and spiritual wounds…we offered all of these things to the people of the community there. But our job was to make it clear that these things are only possible through the blood of Jesus Christ. He’s what makes the difference.
As I sit here thinking back on the first month of ministry and looking forward to the next ten, I am certain of one thing. Jesus MUST be at the center of whatever I do. His name must be spoken to everyone, whether they call on Him as their Savior or not is not for me to decide. That is the work of the Spirit. Yet to withhold the name of Christ and all that He offers would be the biggest mistake I could make on this trip. Daily I must remind myself: it’s not about me, it really is all about Jesus.
A sweet girl, Masiel, holding a craft we did of butterflies. It signified how we are a new creation in Christ.
