Why are we still here? I have heard this question many times in my life. Mostly by those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to death. It usually is a spouse or a parent whose whole life was wrapped up in the desires and needs of the one that died. They felt their purpose was to take care of or please the other person. Their lives had drastically changed. The grief seems to engulf them and it’s hard to plan, or even think about the future without their loved one. This situation is not a new one for mankind and it is one most will face at some point in their lives. The disciples give us a good example of this wondering and trying to figure out what comes next after Jesus was arrested.
In Matthew 26:56, we find all the disciples fleeing after Jesus was arrested. He had foretold them He would die but somehow, they had not believed Him. After His arrest fear overtook them and they scattered. Out of fear they quickly forgot what they had promised Jesus earlier that evening. After eating the Passover meal, Jesus begins to reveal a little of what was going to take place. He told them of the betrayal that would take place. In Matthew 26:33, Peter emphatically states that no matter who else is offended or denies Him, he would not deny Him. Then in verse 35, the other disciples agreed with Peter that they would die with Jesus before they would deny Him. If you read further in the chapter, you will find that it wasn’t long until Peter had denied Jesus and the other disciples had fled.
Matthew 26:33-35 “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise, also said all the disciples.”
So, what is our purpose when it seems our life has been turned upside down? It is the same as it’s always been since Jesus left this earth and gave His instructions to His followers. The instructions He left were to all believers, and it is not optional. It is a command. We are to tell the world, our world around us, and through missionaries those far from us, the plan of salvation. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, we are to show His love by helping others, but the greatest help we can give to anyone is to tell them how to escape eternal punishment in Hell. That is our purpose. The second is to disciple them after they are saved. This will help them to find and fulfill their purpose and repeat the cycle of winning the lost to Christ.
Many will say “that’s just not me,” or “I can’t witness or lead anyone to Christ.” When we feel that way, we are denying the power of God. We are thinking about ourselves and depending on our own strength. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:18, that He has all power in heaven and earth. I love what the commentator Albert Barnes says in reference to verse 18. “Because” all power is mine, go! I can defend you. The world is placed under my control. It is redeemed. It is given me in promise by my Father, as the purchase of my death. Though you are weak, yet I am strong! Though you will encounter many troubles and dangers, yet I can defend you! Though you die, yet I live, and the work shall be accomplished!”
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
In Acts 1:8, we are reminded again by our Savior, our Redeemer, and the ultimate ruler over everything that He will empower us to be a witness for Him. We need to believe what He says and act upon it. As we obey, we will be strengthened, and as we obey, we will draw closer to Him. Our faith must be in Him not in our own strength. We need to pray at the beginning of each day that God would give us opportunities and then give us the words to say to lead conversations toward spiritual things.
Act 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
If you remember nothing else from this devotion, remember we are commanded to witness to everyone, everywhere and God will not command us to do something that He will not empower us to do. The saving is not up to us; that is God’s doing. We obey and He does the rest. That is our purpose here on earth. Win them and disciple them so they can repeat the process!
