Day 166: Ezra 9-10; Acts 1

Ezra ends with exclusion. Acts begins with inclusion. Ezra's word is: "Come in!" Jesus' word is "Go out!" There is a place for both. In fact, one might observe in Acts that there was a 'coming in' before there was a 'going out.' That Israel's return from exile should have marked a new beginning for all was quite clear. Yet, some of the religious leaders, who should have known better, did the very thing that ultimately sent Israel into exile. Inter-marrying with pagans led to idolatry and sinful practices that led to the abandoning of God's way...a relationship with Yahweh. You can only be on mission if you are all in...sanctify (set apart) yourselves. The motivation was absolutely right, the ultimate outcome was proof that humanity can't succeed in human strength and by human will. That was in Ezra's day, but the truth still applies.

Consider the promise of Jesus in answer to the call to 'tarry' (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4): "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit is poured out on you and fills you to overflowing" [Acts 1:8, my edition]. When Jesus did an inward work of heart cleansing (Acts 15:8-9), then the 'going out' became an overflow of the filling up. Watch in wonder what this means for us as we read Acts. Know this, the mission remains. Child of God, filled with His Spirit, you have 'come in' to Him, now 'go out' and tell His story from your journey. It will turn your world upside down...or, is that right-side up?