My husband has had medical issues more than once that compelled us to get to the hospital as quickly as possible.  As soon as the emergency personal hear of his heart history, they snap to attention and proceed without haste with the procedures of life saving protocols.  Although my heart is pounding and my mind reeling, peace comes as soon as I know he is being cared for by life-saving professionals. Then I wait.

As I wait, I pray God’s guidance for the ones who will care for him.  I also pray for Randy’s peace while they do what must be done.  Saving a life requires training as well as a knowing what tools and procedures are best for this person at the appropriate time.  Ah, and time is so precious.  Seconds and minutes cannot be wasted in indecision.  So, I pray, knowing God is our ever-present help.

Medical emergencies bring on roller coasters of emotions that overwhelm our thoughts.  We are less than able to make decisions, wondering about food to eat or clothes to wear, because at that time in that place all our focus is on the one whose life needs to be saved.  It occurs to me that the same urgency for lost souls should be our focus today!

Imagine the emotions of these followers, dearly beloved friends, of Jesus who watched him suffer and die a cruel death on a cross of shame.  Even though He told them it would happen, they were too fearful and sad to understand that this sacrificial act on Jesus’ part was fulfilling Scripture.  Their grief overtakes their memories of Jesus’ words to them about how He must do this to save the world!  It occurs to me that not one person is recorded as saying, “It’s okay, this isn’t the end, remember Jesus said he would come back to life in three days…so, wait for it…”  Instead, they are broken hearted and feel hopeless.

Then on the third day, Jesus is risen. The women see Him first, hear His voice, and run to tell the Good News!  But the hearers of the news do not believe at first.  Peter must check it out so he runs immediately to see an empty grave but then is more confused.  Jesus appears later to two men walking and talking on the road to Emmaus, going over all the details of his death without realizing the risen Jesus has appeared on the road with them!  Their eyes open to Truth as Jesus prays over the meal in their home.  Imagine the new emotions that rise up in these men!  Hope replaces grief!  Joy replaces sadness. They run to tell the Eleven who are hiding out.  And as they tell their story of Jesus, Jesus appears right on cue to verify the Truth.  Truth has risen and Hope is restored.

And “YOU will be my witnesses!” says Jesus.  This is the message: You will proclaim a “total life-change through the forgiveness of sins” in my Name. 

FINAL WORDS…

But that’s not all!  We will need Help.  Jesus tells them to wait, be still, and stay where they are for another powerful gift.  Yes, there’s a new Wind blowing that will come to equip them with power from God to each believer.  Their witness work will be delivered in power by God’s Holy Spirit who will now reside in them!  Wow!  His Spirit will give us the words to say…just ask Peter!  (See Acts 1 and 2)

Now imagine their emotions as they watch Jesus blessing them as He ascends into the heavens on His way back to His Father!  The emotion of unspeakable joy, full of the glory of God, overtakes them and drives them to their knees in worship of Him.  Oh, what a Savior!  There is no one like our God!  What He says, He will do!  He has restored Life for eternity!

Luke 24, The Message

You’re the Witnesses

⁴⁴ Then he said, “Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled.”

^45-49 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, “You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You’re the first to hear and see it. You’re the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you’re equipped with power from on high.”

^50-51 He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, made his exit, being carried up to heaven.

^52-53 And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

This same Jesus who died and rose again in front of many eye witnesses saves our souls as we come to Him with believing, repentant hearts.  His life-saving protocol is this: Jesus sets us free as soon as we ask for His forgiveness.  His Holy Spirit rushes in to reside in our hearts, minds, and souls to begin the work of transforming our behaviors to match who we say we believe.  We cannot do this work alone.  We need a Savior.  We need the gift of God’s Holy Spirit that delivers the power to change and the power to tell others. 

Once we believe, really believe that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do through His Son, Jesus, His love becomes who we are and His Spirit leads what we do.

How do I know?  I believe.  I am not perfect but I know I am perfectly forgiven.  I know of His great power that flows through me when I tell the story of Jesus.   His power is at work within me, even now, as I write this in Jesus Name for His glory and pray for those who will read it. I am a witness of His life-saving love, mercy, and grace in me. 

Believe and be saved.  Then go and tell…

Many are in the ER of lostness and life and we must tell them how to have Life restored!

Lord,

Cleanse our hearts, remove all that offends you.  Renew our minds that transforms our behaviors with power!  Refresh our souls with your new mercies for today.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work within us daily.  You are God.  I believe.  I trust you, dear Jesus.  Thank you for being with us always as we go and tell in Your Name.

In Jesus Name, Amen