Reading the story of Jesus can be almost breathtaking. It is shocking. Like the disciples watching Jesus ascend upon a cloud, we are left staring upward with slack jaws. God among us! It's almost to much to believe.
In his introduction to the book of Acts for The Message Bible, Eugene Peterson points out an inherent danger. The possibility that we will be "...impressed - but only impressed." We run the risk of just becoming fans of Jesus. Peterson suggests, "we could easily becom enthusiastic spectators, and then let it go at that -- become admirers of Jesus, genourous with our oohs and ahs..."
Mathew, Mark and John left of telling the story after the ascension of Jesus. But, Luke doesn't stop. Luke set out to make sure we didn't just become Jesus fans.
Jesus continued to function and fulfil his mission through disciples in the next generation. And he continued in thier children and in thier children's children. In every generation since there have been those who allowed Him to live in them.
The New Testament believers understood that Christ lived in them. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere they went. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal 2:20)
To quote Peterson again, "It is Lukes task to prevent...us from becoming mere spectators of Jesus." He doesn't end the story of Jesus at the ascencion because the story isn't over.
Do you know what it is to let Him live in you? Let me go a step further and speak to someone else that may be reading. Are you content with being a mere container? Satisfied with knowing that He dwells in you but not getting in on the action. Let God act in you!
In his introduction to the book of Acts for The Message Bible, Eugene Peterson points out an inherent danger. The possibility that we will be "...impressed - but only impressed." We run the risk of just becoming fans of Jesus. Peterson suggests, "we could easily becom enthusiastic spectators, and then let it go at that -- become admirers of Jesus, genourous with our oohs and ahs..."
Mathew, Mark and John left of telling the story after the ascension of Jesus. But, Luke doesn't stop. Luke set out to make sure we didn't just become Jesus fans.
Jesus continued to function and fulfil his mission through disciples in the next generation. And he continued in thier children and in thier children's children. In every generation since there have been those who allowed Him to live in them.
The New Testament believers understood that Christ lived in them. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere they went. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal 2:20)
To quote Peterson again, "It is Lukes task to prevent...us from becoming mere spectators of Jesus." He doesn't end the story of Jesus at the ascencion because the story isn't over.
Do you know what it is to let Him live in you? Let me go a step further and speak to someone else that may be reading. Are you content with being a mere container? Satisfied with knowing that He dwells in you but not getting in on the action. Let God act in you!
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