Last week in our Alpha course we were exploring the question, How do we tell others? For us today we are bombarded with different ways to tell the Gospel. On Google, we get 2.3 Million results with for example 14 steps to evangelise, top 3 effective outreach opportunities, Effective Evangelism: 10 tips for success. This was not the case for our first disciples. There was no Alpha course for them. For the disciples and others, it was a time where they began to know Jesus in a new way. He is neither simply human nor simply spiritual, he is completely both. Through Godly Play we can explore this fearful wonder and astonishment of this transition time for the Disciples. It must have been a huge adjustment to learn how to know Jesus in this new way. Our Godly Play story describes it like this;
“We remember how all the disciples gathered in Galilee. They gathered together and went to the mountain to meet Jesus. He was already there. It was good to see him, even in this new way, but what were they supposed to do now? Listen. He was talking again. What was that? “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” What was he talking about? Then he said something that they could understand, but did not want to hear. “Go everywhere. Tell my story, even this part, to everyone. Show them how to be good disciples. Tell them the story so they can become part of it. Baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
This was too far to travel, too much to do. Then in their dismay they heard him say, “I am with you always to the end of the age.” Then he was gone. What did he mean? As they walked back south to Jerusalem, they knew they had been followers, now they were to be leaders. They had been sheep, now they were to be shepherds. They had come home for the last time, now they were to make a home for others.”
The disciples were commissioned to spread the good news of the reality they experienced during the transition and in Pentecost. There was no precedent for this. They were called to help God create a new and unknown world! This must have been overwhelming for them, as it is for us today, but we at least, have this story to guide us.
I wonder what part of the story is about you or what part you are in?
I wonder what part is most important?
I wonder if you know Jesus?
I wonder how you would make Jesus known?
Karen