Experience - Day 20

24 “Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25 You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

As we read through the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we must remember that Luke is writing decades after these events took place.  He has done his research, he has had likely countless hours of interviews and conversations, and he has carefully selected the stories that need to be retold and passed on.  Why?

As stated in the introduction to this series, many scholars believe that Luke didn’t write this account of the continued work of Jesus in order to convert new believers, but rather to strengthen those who do believe.  Naturally, as we’ve experienced with our Crosswalk communities, when you focus on one group, there is always a ripple affect of other groups connected to the target group.  So is it likely that Luke’s writings garnered new converts, yes, but that doesn’t take away from his purpose for writing, which was to strengthen the church.

But why did it need strengthening?

A lot had happened since Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit was poured out.  Those first few years were so exciting, so full of anticipation, hope, and joy.  The good news message of Jesus Christ spread like wildfire throughout the known world, and change was happening.  The poor were being cared for, the sick so often discarded by others found care in the homes of Christians, and those tossed to the side by society received their new titles as children of God.

But where there was good, evil was nearby.  The temple in Jerusalem was laid to waste, taking with it the hope of a people.  Persecution of Christians had begun and took on many painful forms.  Some people were no longer allowed to do business because of their faith, others lost their families, and others watched their loved ones die all for the cause of Christ.

So Luke writes to help the people remember what this movement is all about, even when times are tough.  He writes to remind them of God’s promises, and how He fulfilled those promises.  Like Paul wrote, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding, “Yes!” (2 Corinthians 1: 20)

Jesus is God’s answer to all that plagues us.  Through Jesus, God has fulfilled His promises.  And with Jesus, you and I are called to be a blessing to the world.

JOURNAL

1. What about your faith, and/or your life, needs encouraging today?
2. What promises do you cling to when life is tough?  Are there verses you’ve memorized, stories you reread, that give you hope?
3. Who do you know, in your sphere of influence, that could use a blessing today, and how are you uniquely positioned to be that blessing?