Resurrection to Mission: Living the Ancient FaithSample

Day 4: Timeline of Power

Let’s visualize the journey from Resurrection to mission. This is a timeline marked by God’s power and presence at every stage. This is not just history but our living story:

1. Resurrection:

Christ’s victory over death. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:5–6 NKJV) The Resurrection isn’t just an event - it’s the turning point of all history. Death is defeated; new life is possible.

2. Ascension:

Christ returns to the Father, promising the Holy Spirit. “Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:51 NKJV) This bridges Resurrection and Pentecost, assuring us He intercedes for us.

3. Pentecost:

The Spirit descends, transforming fearful disciples into bold witnesses. “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:4 NKJV) The Church is born, empowered for mission.

4. Apostles’ Fast:

The mission begins and continues in us. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matthew 28:16-20 NKJV) The apostles didn’t stay in the Upper Room; they went out to preach, heal, and suffer for the Gospel.

St. Gregory of Nyssa in his writing, On the Holy Pascha, says: “The Resurrection is the beginning of our hope, the Ascension is the cause of our exultation, and the coming of the Holy Spirit is the perfection of our calling.” The Resurrection is the foundation; the Ascension is the bridge; Pentecost is the fire; and the mission is the journey.

This timeline is our story. We are called to move from marveling at the empty tomb, to receiving the Holy Spirit’s power, to carrying Pentecost’s fire into the world.

Reflection: Where are you on this journey? Are you hesitant in the Upper Room? Or are you ready to move from receiving to giving, from being filled to being sent?

Today’s Challenge: Reflect on where you are in your spiritual journey. Share with a friend or journal about one area where you sense God calling you to move from “receiving” to “giving.”

Prayer: O God, thank You for the foundation of the Resurrection, the bridge of the Ascension, and the fire of Pentecost. Lead me on this journey out of comfort to mission, from receiving to giving, and help me to walk each step in the power of Your Spirit. Amen.

The story is unfinished and we are the next chapter.