Resurrection to Mission: “You are Witnesses”
Daily Scripture
Luke 24:44-48
44 Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Bobby Robson: “What is a club in any case? Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it…. It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.”
In the World Cup, teams embody their nation’s hopes, pride, and identity. After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples to see the big picture: their entire history as a people—from Moses to the Psalms—pointed to their ongoing mission. They were to preach to all nations that in Christ there is repentance and forgiveness of sins, salvation and justice. Our mission, like a true club’s identity, isn’t about “the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it”—it’s about the life found in Jesus’ resurrection.
- Jesus said, “You are witnesses of these things.” Your personal story of the progress of changing your heart and life is powerful to the non-religious and nominally religious people you interact with—wherever you live, work, or play. In what specific ways can you share your story of a changed heart and life with those around you? Who in your daily life might be ready to hear what God has done, and is still doing, for you?
- Scholar N. T. Wright noted that the story went well beyond individual redemption: “The Bible always envisaged that when God finally acted to fulfil all the promises made to Abraham, Moses and the prophets, then the whole world would be brought into the embrace of God’s saving and healing love.” * The mission isn’t just personal salvation—it’s God’s healing love embracing “all nations.” What’s one specific step you could take to more fully accept your part in Jesus’ mission to embrace the world in God’s healing love?
Prayer
God, keep me alert for chances to faithfully share the story of your son’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. Give me courage when afraid, confidence when unsure, passion when indifferent. May I make you proud as I share my personal story of a changed heart and life. Amen.
GPS Insights
Lydia Kim
Lydia Kim, who serves as a pastor of Connection and Care at Resurrection Leawood, wrote today's Insights. An avid believer that growing in faith pairs well with fellowship and food, she is always ready for recommendations on local restaurants and coffee shops.
I didn’t think I’d ever say this, but I am grateful for social media. Hear me out! Social media has been so helpful in letting me experience the World Cup in ways I never could have before. Through social media, I have witnessed beautiful relationships and stories unfold. I know not all the stories have been great, but seeing fans pick up trash together because it’s a tradition in Japan, watching Mexican and Korean fans love on one another, and experiencing how people in Kansas City have embraced Algeria, Argentina, England and the Netherlands has been a joy. It has been a breath of fresh air in a time when most of my social media feed has been about division, differences, and hate.
Our witness as followers of Christ isn’t just in our words, but in our actions. We each have unique stories to share as we experience God’s transformative love. Love gives us fresh eyes to see ourselves and others around us. And just like these fans who can’t help but share the joy of football/soccer, I think the same infectious love of God can move us to embrace the world and others in it more.
This isn’t about forcing people to accept Jesus, but it is about being genuine in sharing how our lives are different because of God’s love. Like fans are naturally inclined to boast about their team, or to talk about an incredible play. What would it be like if we shared a great message we heard on Sunday, or told a friend about the awesome time we had at Serve Saturday or on a mission trip? How might we Go Out And Love by telling others about who we love and are loved by?
If the fans of the World Cup have taught me anything, it is that when we are passionate about something, it is natural to want to share that joy with others, and it happens in a way that lifts others up.
© 2026 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* N. T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. Westminster John Knox Press, p. 300 (Kindle edition).
