One More Person

Pete Kersker - Nov 20, 2025

...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NIV).

Jesus taught his disciples (students) how to "go" and then, right before he ascended into the heavens, he encouraged (spurred) them to "go." He told them that they would start in Jerusalem and then go out across all the earth (land). That is what they did.

...a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1 NIV).

The church (gathering or assembly of people in Jesus' name) began meeting during the Pentecost festival following Jesus' ascension. Their baptisms and meetings were in Jerusalem, just as Jesus had said. Persecution broke out against these "Jesus is the Christ" followers, so they scattered to the surrounding areas of Judea and Samaria, just as Jesus had said.

...the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel..." (Acts 9:15 NIV).

Jesus worked through Saul, whom he renamed Paul, to "go" into many of the countries of their day. The geography was not the focus, though. The people were. Every person is made in the image of God and is important to God. That's why Jesus' disciples (students) do not just keep the good news about Jesus to themselves. We are all called by Jesus to "go" invite one more to be reconciled to God.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (people groups)...    (Matthew 28:18-19a NIV).

Do see that every person is important to God?
Does God bring someone to mind when calling you to "go"?