Betty Whitaker Jackson

Last night Ev and I had our first night alone together in a long time and decided to watch the AD series we’d saved to watch when we got around to it.

We relived the early days following the crucifixion of Christ. We were transported to life under the Romans’ authority, the anguish of the early followers of Jesus as He suffered and died, the anguish of waiting three days to see if their loyalties had been misspent, or indeed, if He would rise again as He promised. They wondered if they would have to return to their former lives. Peter was especially troubled, since he had denied Jesus three times, and thought He could never be forgiven.

I was especially moved when the Holy Spirit at Pentecost indwelled the early believers and gave them significant powers to spread the Gospel, and to assure others that in the Name of Jesus Christ, anything was possible.

I know people all over the world are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. I pray for them. But just as the early church prospered under persecution, so too is that remarkable truth that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. It is being lived out in our very presence. Under persecution, others, seeing the faith of the believers and their undying testimony to the Lordship of Christ, become believers themselves.

Yesterday I listened to theFacebook testimony of a man who reveals that there are more mentions of Jesus and Mary, called Marium, in the Koran than there are of Mohammed. As he sought the truth about this Jesus, He was led by the Holy Spirit to accept that He was, and is, the Son of God. Not a man. Not a prophet. But the Word. The very essence of creation and sustaining of the universe, and the one to whom eventually, every knee shall bend and every heart be filled with His spirit. Every mouth shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

I am so honored and humbled to think that He is Lord of my life. This film portrays the reality of Jesus’ power and God’s plan for my salvation and for the salvation of the world. Thanks be to God for this portrayal and its impact on those who watch it.