Acts 1:8 “But 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."
We were blessed to be in a training event on evangelism this
weekend with several other partner churches.
It’s difficult to talk about reaching people with whom to share the
Gospel without quoting this scripture. The explanation of the territories
followed the conventional teachings. Jerusalem is very near, within the church
and nearby community. Judea widens the circle and the “ends of the earth”
involves world evangelism. With the internet the “ends of the earth” is closer
than ever. What about Samaria? It refers not so much to a location as to a
group of people. The Jews and the
Samaritans did not get along; there was mistrust and animosity between the
groups. In this world the people whom we
are uncomfortable around or flat out don’t like are our Samaria. To be a witness of Christ doesn’t always mean
sharing the Gospel, evangelizing or preaching.
Sometimes, it means reflecting the personality and behavior of Jesus to
others, even our Samaritans. Who is your
Samaritan? Do you behave differently around
them than you do others? What kind of
witness are you with them? Just asking.
Precious
Lord, when our human frailties make it difficult to love our neighbor as Christ
calls us to we ask that you intervene. Help us to show Christ to all people,
even our Samaritans with both our words and actions. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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