"And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8

I've always found it fascinating that the disciples' last question to Jesus was about timing and politics: "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?"

Sound familiar? We're still asking the same questions today. When will this happen? How will that work out? What about the state of our country, our churches, our world?

But Jesus' response cuts through all our anxious speculation with something far more practical and powerful.

The Mission Handover

The Ascension wasn't just Jesus going up to heaven - it was the ultimate mission handover. For forty days after His resurrection, Jesus had been preparing His followers for this moment. Now, as He's taken up into the clouds, the baton is being passed.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses..."

Notice He doesn't say "you might be" or "you should try to be." He says "you WILL be." This isn't a suggestion - it's a promise and a commission rolled into one.

From Spectators to Participants

For three years, the disciples had been spectators to Jesus' ministry. They watched Him heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach the Kingdom. They were learning, they participated a little, but they were still on the sidelines.

The Ascension changes everything. Jesus is saying, "Now it's your turn. The same power that raised me from the dead, the same authority I've been operating in - that's now yours."

This isn't about waiting for Jesus to return and fix everything. This is about stepping into the mission He's left us with.

Your Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria

Jesus gave them a geographical strategy: start local (Jerusalem), expand regionally (Judea), cross cultural barriers (Samaria), then go global (ends of the earth).

What does this look like for you?

• Your Jerusalem: Your family, your workplace, your immediate community
• Your Judea: Your wider network, your region, people who share your background
• Your Samaria: Those who are different from you - different class, culture, or beliefs
• Ends of the earth: The unreached, wherever they may be

The Power You've Been Promised

The disciples were told to wait for power. We don't have to wait - that power came at Pentecost and it's available to us now.

This isn't just power to do miraculous things (though it includes that). It's power to:

• Love your enemies
• Forgive the unforgivable
• Speak truth with boldness
• Serve sacrificially
• Endure persecution with joy

Your Next Steps

As we celebrate Ascension Sunday, ask yourself:

• Who is in your Jerusalem that needs to hear about Jesus?
• What's stopping you from stepping into your Samaria?
• How are you expecting the Holy Spirit's power to work through you this week?

The Ascension reminds us that Jesus' physical presence may be gone, but His mission continues through us. We're not waiting for Him to come back and fix everything - we're His hands and feet until He does.

And His promise 'I will be with you until the end of the age'. (Matt 28:20)

It's not:

• "I'll check in on you occasionally"
• "I'll be watching from a distance"
• "I'll help if you really need it"

It's "I WILL BE WITH YOU" - present tense, active, constant.

Amen - come Lord Jesus!

Who in your Jerusalem is God calling you to reach this week?