To the Ends of the Earth

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Have you ever received a gift or experienced something profound that you can't keep to yourself? As some of you know, in the spring, we welcomed a Maltese puppy, Finn, into our lives. To any inquiring ears, I am quick to tell them of the wonders—and feistiness—of Finn, and without too much prompting, show a picture or two. We likely all have something in our lives that we share with joy: a new grandchild, our favorite restaurant, a story that makes us laugh. Some things are just too good to keep quiet.

In Acts 1, Luke writes of the early church in the days following Jesus’ ascension. He recounts a meal, a promise, and a mission. Jesus tells his disciples they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them—and that this power has a purpose: to make them witnesses. Not just in Jerusalem, where they were comfortable. Not just in Judea and Samaria, where tensions and unfamiliarity lingered. But to the ends of the earth.

This wasn’t a metaphor. It was a map. A divine blueprint for a spiritual awakening that would stretch across cultures, languages, and generations. And it began not with strategy, but with Spirit—with the power to speak, to serve, to love boldly.

And they did so in the face of persecution and death. The early church grew not because it was safe, but because it was faithful. Centuries later, during the Black Plague, it was often Christian communities who stayed behind to care for the sick, the dying, and the dead—risking their lives to embody Christ’s compassion. While others fled, they remained. Their witness wasn’t just in words, but in sacrificial love.

What does “the ends of the earth” mean for us today? It might be a neighbor we’ve never really spoken to. A community we’ve overlooked. A conversation we’ve been avoiding. It might be a call to support missions abroad—or to recognize that our own town is a mission field, too.

But it also means stepping into places of discomfort, even danger, with courage and compassion. The Spirit still empowers. The witness still matters. And the ends of the earth are not just geographical—they’re emotional, relational, spiritual. They are the places where love is most needed and least expected.

Whether through a kind word, a shared prayer, or a bold act of mercy, we are part of this unfolding story—called not just to believe, but to bear witness, even when it costs us something.

Holy Spirit, come upon us with power—not for our own sake, but for the sake of your mission. Make us bold witnesses of your love, starting where we are and stretching wherever you lead. Help us see the ends of the earth not as far-off places, but as invitations to share your grace in every corner of our lives. Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim