Sent out by Jesus: Matthew 28:19-20 & Acts 1:8

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Bavarian State Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons


              The above pieces of scripture are two charges to the church, that almost form a call and response, with each other.

Matthew:

Go to all nations! Make them disciples!

Acts:

Begin here in Jerusalem, but know that this new thing the Spirit is doing ripples out, to Judea where you’re from, but then Samaria, where you insist very heavily that you are not from. Point to what God has done in Jesus Christ among your people, and among those who you consider “those people.” In embracing the familiar and the other, the ripple in the pond will become a tsunami, splashing upon all the earth.

Matthew:

That is your calling. Baptizing them, teaching them everything about Jesus’ way of life. Jesus who is so very present with us, even as we leave Galilee. He will be with us, always!

Acts:

Truly, he is present! The Spirit, his Spirit, attests to who he is and what he has done. Who he is and who we are becoming by following him.

Matthew: Amen.

Acts: Amen!


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