“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” (Acts 2:41 NLT)

Jesus’ followers experienced a profound change after His resurrection. Jesus had conquered sin and death forever. He had already won the war against humankind’s two greatest enemies. So His followers were emboldened to fight the battles against those who opposed Jesus’ work. They literally had nothing to fear any longer.

We can see the evidence of their newfound boldness in the events that took place during the celebration of Pentecost at the temple in Jerusalem about ten days after Jesus returned to Heaven.

Pentecost (which is also known as Shavuot) is a major Jewish festival. In the first century AD, people traveled from foreign lands to celebrate it at the Jerusalem temple, the center of Jewish worship.

Jesus’ followers were also in Jerusalem at the time. About 120 of them had continued to meet since Jesus’ departure. According to Acts 2:1–4, a roaring wind suddenly swept through their meeting place. Small flames appeared and rested on each of them. The Holy Spirit filled them, and they began to speak in languages they didn’t know.

A large crowd rushed in to investigate the commotion. Foreign visitors to the city were stunned to hear stories about the wonderful things God had done being spoken in their native languages by uneducated Galileans.

Peter seized the moment. The disciple who, just a short time earlier, had been too scared even to identify himself with Jesus, boldly stepped forward and explained that the people were witnessing the fulfillment of a prophecy God had made hundreds of years earlier, as recorded in Joel 2:28–32. God had promised to pour out His Spirit on all people, and now the Spirit had arrived.

Peter then launched into an impromptu sermon. He reminded people of the miracles Jesus had performed. He pointed to those miracles, as well as to Jesus’ death and resurrection, to show them that Jesus had carried out God’s plan of salvation. Peter quoted the prophetic words King David wrote about Jesus hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth. And then he identified Jesus as the long-promised Lord and Messiah. Peter urged the people to repent and be baptized so that they, too, would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

His words had a powerful impact. Acts 2:42 says that about three thousand people believed in Jesus that day. With one bold push, Peter and the others started the snowball rolling downhill. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they established the church and began to fulfill the Great Commission—to make disciples of all nations. The world would never be the same.

The same Holy Spirit who gave wisdom, strength, and boldness to Peter and the others fills everyone who believes in Jesus today. His power is always available to us. He equips us to step out of our comfort zone, to reach across the invisible lines that separate us from others, and to boldly share the Good News of Jesus.

Reflection question: What specifically can the Holy Spirit equip you to do?

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“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NLT)

I heard a story of a man who was trying to start his own religion, without much success. He went to a wise friend and said, “I’m trying to start my own religion, but no one is joining. What do you think I ought to do?”

His friend replied, “Why don’t you go get yourself crucified and rise again on the third day. I am sure you will have a lot of followers.”

Jesus’ followers were certainly energized and emboldened after His crucifixion and resurrection. But they had been prepared for their mission long before then.

For Jesus’ followers, His public ministry was a three-year training course. During their time together, Jesus gave them—and all who follow Him—a method for ministering to others. In Matthew 5 alone, He said,

• “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad!” (verses 11–12 NLT).
• “If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also” (verse 39 NLT).
• “If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too” (verse 40 NLT).
• “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles” (verse 41 NLT).
• “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (verse 44 NLT).

In other words, march to the beat of a different drummer. Boldly set yourself apart from the world, no matter what the cost. Let people see the difference the Lord has made in your life.

Jesus gave His followers a mission for ministering to others. Before He ascended to Heaven, He gave His followers marching orders: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT).

The news of Jesus’ life, teachings, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection—of the salvation and eternal life He made possible—is too good to keep to ourselves. He wants us to share it with others in ways that resonate with them. That’s our challenge—and our privilege.

Jesus gave His followers a model for ministering to others. He asks nothing of us that He didn’t do Himself. The apostle Peter emphasized the importance of following Jesus’ example in the passage above.

The apostle Paul wrote, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8 NLT). Humility is the key.

One of the last things Jesus did before He was arrested was wash His disciples’ feet. In the culture of the first century AD, this was a job reserved for the lowliest of servants. Jesus wanted His followers to know that when it comes to God’s work, we are servants. Pride and arrogance are obstacles that keep us from fulfilling His plan for us.

Jesus’ disciples learned these lessons well, although it doesn’t always appear that way in Scripture. Following Jesus’ example, they took His Good News to the ends of the earth.

We may not cover nearly as much distance as they did, but we, too, are equipped to share the Good News of Jesus with others. Jesus set the example for lovingly ministering to the people around us. He showed us what servanthood looks like.

Reflection question: What method for ministering to others will you focus on this week?

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“May he equip you with all you need for doing his will.” (Hebrews 13:21 NLT)

Fear comes in many forms. Kathisophobia is the fear of sitting. Ablutophobia is the fear of bathing. Anuptaphobia is the fear of being single. Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. Automatonophobia is the fear of ventriloquist dummies.

I don’t know the name of the fear Jesus’ disciples experienced following the events of Good Friday through Easter, but it was real. And it was paralyzing.

This small group of followers had an enormous task ahead of them, but they were in no condition to undertake it. In fact, they were hiding behind closed doors, scared, confused, and with no idea what their next step should be.

So before He ascended to Heaven, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times to prepare them for what lay ahead. He eased their fear. He gave them the confidence they lacked. He gave them direction and purpose. He gave them hope. And He assured them that He would be with them, wherever they went and whatever they faced. Jesus equipped His followers to carry out His work.

On one occasion, shortly after His resurrection, He miraculously appeared to a group of His disciples behind locked doors. But Thomas, one of the disciples, wasn’t part of the group. Later, when the others told him about their experience, Thomas refused to believe.

“But he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side’” (John 20:25 NLT).

Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to His followers. This time Thomas was present. Jesus said to him, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:27 NLT). He wasn’t trying to embarrass Thomas. He was equipping him for the work ahead. If Thomas needed physical proof of Jesus’ resurrection, something he could experience with his own senses, Jesus was prepared to give it.

Likewise, on the night Jesus was arrested, Peter failed Him miserably. Three times Peter had an opportunity to stand boldly with Jesus during His trial, and three times he denied even knowing Jesus.

Jesus recognized how heavily that failure weighed on Peter. He didn’t want it to hinder or distract Peter from the role he was going to play in building the church and spreading the gospel.

So Jesus restored Peter to ministry. In John 21, Jesus appeared to Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Three times He asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times Peter answered yes. And three times Jesus instructed him to feed or take care of His lambs or sheep. With that simple exchange, Jesus undid the emotional and spiritual damage Peter had caused with his denials.

Jesus equipped His disciples to change the world in His name. And He still equips His followers for service. He gives us what we need—whether it’s forgiveness, inspiration, wisdom, or courage—to strengthen our relationship with Him and encourage us to share His message with others. As the author of Hebrews wrote in the passage above: “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will” (NLT).

Reflection question: How has the Lord equipped you to do His will?

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