What if Jesus is still in charge?

What if Jesus is still in charge? What difference would that make to how we pursue movements of disciples and churches everywhere?

In the book of Acts, Luke reveals that the risen Lord is in heaven at the right hand of the Father. One day he will return as King to judge the world, but he’s not absent. Jesus continues to actively pursue his mission—this Word of the gospel is going to the ends of the earth, every place, every people group.

The risen Lord chooses a replacement for Judas. He appoints his witnesses. He sends the Spirit. He appears in a vision to Stephen and multiple times to Paul. The risen Lord directs the mission of his servants.

Luke intentionally blurs the distinction between “the Lord” as applied to the Father and Jesus. The risen Lord does what Father does. Luke doesn’t draw rigid boundaries between the activities of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jesus continues to heal and to speak through his witnesses. Without the name of Jesus there is no salvation.

He is present among his people, the church. His presence through the Word and Spirit explains their life together and how every day the Lord can add to their number those being saved. He is united with them so that persecution of them is at the same time, persecution of Jesus.

That’s why Luke can say, “In my first book I wrote about everything Jesus began to do and teach.” The story of the early Christian movement is the story of what the risen Lord continues to do and teach.

What if Luke not just writing to say, “This is how it was.” What if he’s writing to say, “This is how it still is.”

What difference would that make?