Day One: ONLY JESUS

What would you do if every day life changed in the blink of an eye? Well, most of us could never have imagined living a different sort of life before March of 2020 – before the pandemic. But now, the reality of a new normal has begun to set in. Before this date, the majority of people in the U.S., specifically, had normal routines. Whether it was getting up for school or work, most of us had a lifestyle that was somewhat predictable. But, on the “day the world closed down” we had to adapt to a new way of living. People stopped getting up and “going” to work but rather computers became the new work space; recliners became the new cubicles and kitchen tables became the new classrooms. Unless someone was an essential worker such as healthcare or grocery store worker…, he or she faced a new way of living that was anything but normal. While people do lose their jobs, retire, face a tragedy that causes life to be different sometimes, most of us have never experienced such an abrupt cessation of “life as we know it”. Along with this change of daily life was a cloud of fear of uncertainty. What are we going to do? When will we find a cure? When we will get our life back?

Certainly this is a new phenomena for everyone living at this time, but in a different way, it has happened before. Let’s take a look back to the 1st century AD and look at a group of people who faced a sudden shift in their normal. But, unlike us, they should have been prepared, because they were told that things were going to radically change ahead of time; however, just like most humans, they were a bit stubborn and slow to accept such a drastic idea. During the three years that the disciples traveled with Jesus, normal life for them was following Jesus as He traveled from town to town teaching and preaching about the kingdom of God and watching Him do miracle after miracle. They walked together, talked together and did life all together. Over and over again, Jesus taught about the future, the time when he would no longer be with them (Luke 13:33; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Mark 8:31). Conversely, He talked to them about their future (Matthew 26:31,32). yet, they could not understand nor accept his predictions. Just like us, they had become comfortable. They had settled into a life with the master by their side. But, this all stopped- abruptly at the cross. Their world came to a crashing halt with the arrest, crucifixion and burial of Jesus. All of sudden, they went into hiding, fearful for their lives. No doubt, they were asking questions like “what are we going to do?” 

Play the tape forward three days to the glorious moment when their world reopened – the RESURRECTION! This one event changed everything for them! When they encountered the risen Lord, the men (and women) in hiding  became bold, fearless messengers for the gospel. Eventually carrying the message of redemption to the ends of the earth. For the next several decades, these men and others who will be transformed by the gospel will be on a mission to take the truth that Jesus was not just a great teacher, but that He is the MESSIAH, the Son of God, God incarnate “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) This message will be the focal point of this new movement of Christ followers who will eventually be organized as the ‘CHURCH’. 

When the disciples’ world “reopened”, their mission was crystal clear. They did not stumble around trying to figure out what to do because they knew the truth. Death held no more power over them. Fear did not confine them and all confusion was gone. They came out of their confinement with a brand new purpose and nothing could stop them! But what about us? When our world reopens, will we go back to life as we knew it, to our comfortable lives where we don’t take risks; where we are just settled? Or, will we live as fearless followers who understand what the disciples knew? The truth is, our purpose is NO DIFFERENT than the disciples was over 2000 years ago! Our world, more than ever, needs the same message. The message that there is “no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!” Medicine and science won’t save us; politics and government won’t save us; policies and procedures won’t save us; only one name will save us! Our 2020 world needs JESUS!

As you think about the “world” reopening, what will be your focus? Take a few minutes and write out how you will approach this “new day” we are living in? I believe that God is preparing us as believers for a resurgence of interest in spiritual truth. I believe that the church will see a lot of seekers in the coming months. We need to be prepared with the message and need to be more focused than ever before! Ask God, what He wants you to do in this new season!