TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
|
It would be fascinating to know what the disciples imagined when they heard Jesus describe their witness as extending “to the ends of the earth.” In the Gospel accounts, there were occasional excursions into the neighboring regions to the north and east of Galilee, but even the journey to Jerusalem was a long way for the disciples, who had spent most of their lives around the lake. It is another way in which the disciples’ time with Jesus transformed their lives in remarkable ways. As Jesus had done previously, He walked the disciples through their assignment. It would begin where they were, then include regions in which they had already traveled with Him, and then would ripple out to the next closest places.
But He was adamant that their witness would ultimately reach everywhere in the world. At that time, when they were still preoccupied with the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, it is unlikely that the disciples could have imagined where this task would take them. But later historical tradition has it that, in their lifetimes, some of these disciples traveled as far as Rome, Spain, and even India. And, of course, the mission would grow much further beyond their individual travels and encompass the whole world. This must have seemed overwhelming, except for the foundational promise and motivation that Jesus gave in the same breath. The Holy Spirit would come upon them and go with them as His witnesses.
They need not be daunted or afraid—though it was beyond anything they knew—because they were not and never would be alone.
By the Holy Spirit, Jesus would be with them to the end of the age and to the ends of the earth, whenever and wherever they would go.
