You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, . . . and to the end of the
earth. Acts 1:8
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, has a
guard 24 hours a day. Every hour on the hour, 365 days a year, a new soldier reports for
duty. When the new guard arrives, he receives his orders from the one who is leaving. The
words are always the same: "Orders Remain Unchanged."
The same could be said of the orders that Jesus gave to His disciples. Just before He
ascended to heaven, He told His followers, "You shall be witnesses to Me in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). He
also said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19).
From that day to this day, Christian to Christian, generation to generation, the good news
of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed. We too must tell others that He is the Son of God,
that He died to pay the penalty for our sins, and that salvation is granted to all who put
their faith in Him. Then, as we fulfill our duties and disciple new believers, we are to
pass on the orders to evangelize the lost.
Much has changed in the almost 2,000 years since Jesus chose His first disciples and
started the church. But regarding the command to spread the good news of Christ, these
words can still be said: "Orders remain unchanged."
-DCE
You have called us, Lord, to witness
Called to speak of Your dear Son;
Holy Spirit, grant discernment;
Lead us to some seeking one.
-DJD
Keep the faithbut not to yourself.