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 faith—but not to yourself.