God, in the sun, the moon, the shining stars – the highest heavens and the work of your hands – you have spoken eloquently to our souls today. We offer you our praise. Thank you for your Spirit that moved with such power and precision today. For those hearts that felt lightened today, for those fears that were cast out…thank you. Now, as the sun sets, take my offering of this day and accept it as my living act of worship. Thanks be to Christ. Amen.
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel” (Mark 16:15).
What a picture! The risen Lord, triumphant in his victory, commands his disciples to preach far and wide. And that’s just what they did. They traveled the known world, proclaiming the good news.
It’s all very dramatic, isn’t it? By contrast, our lives seem much more ordinary. But that’s not how God sees us. Remember, not all the disciples wrote Gospels or traveled the world or established communities. They had only one thing in common: they followed the Lord as the Holy Spirit led them. So although an adventure-filled mission might seem out of your reach, it really isn’t. Just try to be faithful to the role God has given you, and you’ll find plenty of excitement.
Each of us can proclaim the gospel in little ways, to little audiences, every day. Every act of kindness can bear the touch of the Lord. Every encouraging word can carry the breath of the Spirit. Every decision to forgive even the smallest of offenses releases mercy into your environment.
Don’t take these gestures lightly! They may not be the heroic acts that the apostles did, but no matter how ordinary it seems, the “whole world” that Jesus has sent you into needs your witness (Mark 16:15). Remember, your witness makes a difference!
Jesus, help me to do all of my ‘little’ acts in love and in your name. I trust, Lord, that you will use them for your glory. Amen.
wau
Andy
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