Is It Really Over?

When it’s over, is it really over? Or is it just the beginning?

The disciples mourned when Jesus had died. There were so many things they had to mourn. I imagine one was (what felt like) the loss of their ministry. The most important thing they had ever done came to a screeching halt. Could anything be this good again? Anything? But here comes Jesus (resurrected!) with new marching orders, a new call, and continued, deepened purpose:

“Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 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 ‭28:16-20).

Jesus says, I am passing the baton to you. My ministry is not over. It is not over in your lives. I am still in charge. I have not been overthrown. All authority has been given to me on earth and in heaven. And I am passing the baton to you here on the earth. It is yours now, yours to carry out in my name.

What had felt like it had dwindled, even ended – the ministry of the Lord through the disciples – had ramped up and expanded. They would be used in ministry across all nations. What they thought had come to an end was just ramping up, elevating in a new way. Their purpose had been renewed.

Would there be difficulty? Yes. Would there be persecution? Yes. But Jesus also promised to be with them always – all the way to the end. And this promise is good to us as His disciples today.

And so, for you, those of you who are mourning right now, who are concerned for the future of our country, I encourage you (and me) to recognize that the ministry of Jesus is not coming to an end with a national change in leadership. He is still and will forever be on the throne as the King of Kings.

“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God” (Psalm 146:3-5).

Though our minds are tired and our adrenal glands fatigued, we must anchor ourselves. We must place our hope in God, the creator, sovereign King of the universe, not in ballots, platforms or electoral processes.

Now is not the time to give up, to throw in the towel. It is time for Christians to move to another level – to grab ahold of the baton, to rise up with boldness, and to speak up. We must go out in the authority of Jesus, introducing people to Him, teaching people of all nations and tribes all He has taught us.

You may want to hide out. You may be crying out. (You aren’t alone.) Yet it is time to step it up, to be bold, to exercise the authority given you in Jesus’ name to make disciples. It isn’t over. Ministry is ramping up in a new way and you have an integral part to play.

As my parents, both coaches, would tell me: Take a moment to cry, then dust yourself off, get back up and keep moving forward. This is no time to back down. It is time to hit refresh and to rise up in love with boldness.

Though it may feel difficult and your emotions might rage against you, I invite you to join me in these coming days in…

1) Sharing Jesus with those around you – through words and actions. He is the only answer to every issue in life. And He is still on the throne over all.

2) Pray for our leaders. The Lord is king over and able to guide even those you do not like. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).