8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
As I was preparing this week I was struck by two things I had never seen in this simple verse. 1st, Jesus promises the power to accomplish the task before he even tells them what the task is. How many times have I asked what he wanted me to do so I can see if I am equipped to do it.
I end most of my communications with "Whatever It Takes!" That is so easy to say, and even easier to write, but so difficult to live out. What makes it difficult is when the "It" is defined. I want to live that statement out but often times find myself asking for the task first so that I can rely on my on power to do it.
Jesus said "you will receive power." Not you may or it could happen, but it will happen and therefore the task is secondary cause I will be able to do it. What a great promise!
The 2nd thing I noticed was His statement "and you will be my witnesses." That word "will" is written in the imperative. In other words I must be a witness. Jesus is not saying will you. He is saying "you will." If you have my Spirit (power) in you, you will bear witness to me in this world.
By the way He promises us in that famous Matthew passage (Matthew 28:20) that He will be with us, "always." That makes saying "I Will", regardless of the task so much easier.
I Will...Whatever It Takes!
Tim
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