A powerful message

When the disciples of Jesus first heard it, they must have thought it to be an impossible assignment. Just before he ascended to heaven, Jesus said to them, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Photo Mark Schroeder wearing green vest with cross — WELS President Mark Schroeder

We would understand if the man who had denied that he knew Jesus and the men who had run away in fear when Jesus was arrested would ask themselves, “Who are we to do this? What strength and abilities do we have to carry this out? How can we be sure that we won’t repeat our mistakes of the past and deny and abandon him again?”

But if they were listening closely, they heard what Jesus said just before he gave them that mission, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8). The power that they would receive would be the message itself: the gospel of Jesus Christ. That powerful message would bring about the results that Jesus intended. The power of the gospel would give them the strength and courage to overcome any threat or obstacle. The power of the gospel would change hearts and lives.

So the disciples went, armed with that powerful message, strengthened with the promises of God, and mindful of Jesus’ promise that he would be with them always.

They shared the good news first in Jerusalem. Then the Word of the Lord spread as they traveled to the nearby regions of Judea and Samaria. After that, the good news of Jesus crossed borders and seas into Asia and Europe. The powerful gospel did its work. It’s amazing to think about it. From just a handful of disciples, God’s church grew and spread rapidly to the point that only three hundred years later, Christianity was declared to be the official religion of the entire Roman Empire.

We’ve seen that gospel continue to do what Jesus promised. Our own synod is evidence of that. German Lutherans came to the United States 175 years ago and brought their faith with them. The pastors who came with them had listened to the words of Jesus to his disciples and immediately set out to proclaim the gospel in a new and strange land. The Word of the Lord spread, as the synod that began with three congregations in one small area grew into a national church body with more than 1,200 congregations across the country. We would understand if those first Lutherans in the US viewed the task as too challenging. But like the first disciples, they came armed with the powerful message of the gospel and with the promises of a living Savior.

Anniversaries always lead us to look back, but they are also occasions for us to look ahead. We know that the mission remains the same. Like the first disciples, our task is taking the gospel to an unbelieving and hostile world. We look at the many challenges facing us, and we may wonder if we are up to the task. But just as the challenges are the same, so is the powerful message we proclaim. And so are the promises Jesus still gives. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). “[My Word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

So, in this anniversary year, look back with thanks, and look ahead with courage and confidence.

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