05 01 08 Cross the Tracks

“He told them, ‘This is what is written. The Christ will suffer.
He will rise from the dead on the third day.
His followers will preach in his name.
They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven.
People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem.
You have seen these things with your own eyes’.”
(Luke 24:46-48 NIrV)

Jesus intended for His words and His life to be proclaimed openly and freely, and with authority (kerusso). Every tribe, nation, and people group (ethnos) is intended to hear the Gospel, not whom we choose. Christ reached out to His people first, but did not stop there. We too must be willing to cross-cultures, cross fences, and CROSS THE TRACKS!

Jesus said His followers will preach in His name: not simply His apostles, but His disciples. Forgiveness of sin is offered to all who will believe in the Son of God and His sacrificial death and resurrection. We need to tell others!

Where to begin? How can I reach everyone from every nation? Actually, it’s rather simple. We speak to our neighbor or co-worker in Maryland. They share with a friend visiting from California or New York. He or she then share with a business associate with ties to oil companies in the Middle East. Before we realize it, our effort to witness to a friend in Maryland has been used by the Holy Spirit to save a soul in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or perhaps even Iraq! We never know what our effort for Christ will accomplish. We can reach the world, but it begins by crossing cultures, crossing fences, CROSSING THE TRACKS. It may be a simple as crossing the street!

We have the authority of Christ. We have the powerful witness of those gone before us; even those who have died living a life dedicated to saving the lost in rather remote areas. We have seen it done in our own lifetime. It doesn’t matter how much money we have, the skills we possess, or the city we live in. What matters is that we have a heart for Christ and for people. Are we willing to make God known in our circles?

Here’s a simple prayer: “Lord, use me…use me…use me; however and wherever, but help me to begin where I stand right now!!!”