Set The World Aflame

"I would have despaired if I didn't believe that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."  Psalm 27:13

Before the cross they walked with Him, watched Him, worked besides Him and learned.

"For I have given them the words that You gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me."  John 17:8

Some lessons they didn’t realize were lessons until after the resurrection.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."  John 14:26

He also prayed for them.

"I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours."  John 17:9

During the Passover dinner they laughed and talked but when their beloved teacher got up and washed their feet, He gave them a lesson on how to be a servant to each other.

"Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him."  John 13:5

Friday came with fear, disbelief and confusion. All they had learned the last three years was forgotten. The man they knew as Jesus, whom they believed was "The Messiah," was beaten, then killed and they ran. Saturday came and they waited. The two Marys waited to wash and anoint the body of their Lord. The disciples spoke in quiet voices in shock. “What happened? We were so sure He was the One."  Peter was quiet, withdrawn.

We, too, wait with hope because eleven "fishers of men" saw the goodness of the Lord manifested in Christ in the land of the living. They set the world aflame with the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ.

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word."
John 17:9

Peter - the one who denied, who had fled, the one restored by Jesus Himself – opened his mouth. He spoke with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit and turned the world upside down!

"Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: 'Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning.! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel."  Acts 2:14-19

"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days." Joel 2:28-29

by Eve Montano