To the Ends!
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Coca-cola is one product that has far outgrown its humble beginnings. In 1886, Dr. John Pemberton first introduced Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia. The pharmacist concocted a caramel-colored syrup in a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard. He first "distributed" Coca-Cola by carrying it in a jug down the street to Jacobs? Pharmacy.
After little more than 100 years, surveys show that 97% of the world has heard of coca-cola. 72% of the world has seen a can of coca-cola. 51% of the world has tasted a can of coca-cola. All due to the fact that the company made a commitment years ago that every one on the planet would have a taste of their soft drink.
We should stand up and take note here...97% of the world has heard of this sugar and water concoction while 1.7 billion people world-wide have no access to the good news of Jesus Christ! It is estimated that 17 million people die every year without having heard the name of Jesus!
Jesus was not shy about giving us- the church- instructions on what we should be doing in his physical absence. We need to be witnesses— but what does that really mean?
Well, let’s unpack that for a moment. Jesus says that they are going to be his witnesses- the Greek phrase “eimi martys ego” Martys- the word we get the term martyr from - is the big word here.
You see a martys- a witness- is someone who can be called upon to provide validation to a story or a claim. You see, these days we can end debates or solve crimes or legal battles with a lot of tools. Things like forensics, dna testing, security cameras, internet tracing, etc are all tools that modern day detectives use to prove whether or not a claim is true or false. But in Jesus’ day and the days before the main thing used to support or deny a claim was witness testimony, and mostly multiple witnesses. In fact, in serious cases of law there had to be multiple accounts. In Deut 19:15 the Law of Moses called for no less than 2-3 accounts before someone could be convicted of a crime. Witnesses were the backbone of the legal system.
So, Jesus charging the Apostles, and now us to be witnesses is basically him saying- prove it to the world. You be my proof- you be my supporting evidence- that I am who I say I am. For Jesus’ Earthly ministry there were chances and opportunities for him to do miracles, healings, and other things to validate his claim that he was God. When Jesus made claims of his divinity those claims were backed up by his works.
Jesus’ claim to be God was verified in his death as well. Do you remember the scene surrounding his death? Listen to Matt 27
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
And of course, the ultimate validation, the Resurrection.
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 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.” 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. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
But, now that Jesus is no longer physically present on Earth he can no longer validate his claim or his ministry on his own--- he has now charged us. We are personally invited to be witnesses of Jesus’ ministry.
Anyone here ever been asked to provide a reference for someone when they are trying to get a new job? Some see this as a very mundane task, but really it should be seen as an honor. Someone needs to verify their character, or their work ethic, or what kind of person they are- to think that someone put that kind of trust in you; to impact their livelyhood.
But think about this for a moment--- Jesus is asking us---asking me---asking you---to be his reference. There is a world that is out there that he is ready to be a part of. There are people that he wants to meet, to bless, to renew; and he is asking us to be the ones to verify his work and who he is.
Now, notice 2 things that Jesus says along with his commission for witnesses.
Jesus connects the power that the HS gives to the responsibility to be his witnesses. No, hear me, I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe in miracles, in healings, and all those things. However, I believe that those things have a purpose, and that purpose is not merely to make us happy, or our make our lives easier, or to point to us- no, the point of the power of the Holy Spirit is to point to Jesus.
This is a personal thing Jesus has been teaching me through Olivia’s journey. Yes, Jesus has had his hand on Olivia since day 1- and his Holy Spirit has brought healing to her and peace and strength to us. He has literally done miracle after miracle.
So, is the point of that for Jess and I to say “thanks” and go back home; enjoy the rest of our lives with our daughter? No. The #1 primary thing we are to do with the power of the Holy Spirit is to BEAR WITNESS!! Go and tell--- get out there!!!
Second, Jesus says that the Disciples will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth. Now, Jesus is giving the Disciples literal marching orders for literal geographical areas. Jerusalem is was their hometown; J&S was their neighboring area, and the ends of the Earth was everywhere else. These each coincide with a section of Acts.
Acts 1-7 Jerusalem
Acts 8-12 Judea and Samaria
Acts 13-28 Everywhere else.
Jesus wanted them to be involved and attentive to how his Gospel was going out at every level.