“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!” (John 20:19–20 NLT)

 

If we were telling the origin story of the Christian church, this would be a compelling first scene. A handful of Jesus’ followers hiding behind closed doors, shell-shocked, confused, and too scared to show their faces in public. Suddenly the risen Jesus miraculously appears in the flesh, victorious over sin and death, confirming the truth of everything He taught and promised them.

At some point, either while Jesus was in the room or after He left, the truth must have dawned on them. If the One they served is more powerful than sin and death, then (1) they had nothing to fear, and (2) the world needed to know. We see their newfound boldness and sense of purpose in the passages that follow. That’s the power of the resurrection.

Armed with that power, this small group of believers changed the world. And most of them sacrificed their lives to do it.

According to church tradition, Peter took the gospel to Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia. He was crucified upside down because he told his executioners that he wasn’t worthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus.

Andrew spread the gospel through what is now Russia, Turkey, and Greece. He, too, was crucified.

Thomas wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples in John 20. And he doubted their story. But when Jesus appeared again, and Thomas saw Him, his doubts disappeared. He took the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection all the way to India. He died after being impaled by the spears of four soldiers.

Philip spread the gospel in North Africa and Asia Minor. After he converted the wife of a Roman official, the official had him put to death.

Matthew, the tax collector, traveled to Persia and Ethiopia to spread Jesus’ message. He was stabbed to death.

Bartholomew accompanied Thomas to India and also shared the gospel in Armenia, Ethiopia, and Southern Arabia. He was crucified.

James, the son of Alphaeus, shared the Good News of Christ throughout Syria. He was stoned and then clubbed to death.

Simon took the gospel to Persia. He was put to death there when he refused to make a sacrifice to the sun god.

Matthias was the man chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. He shared the gospel in Syria, where he was burned to death.

John is believed to be the only disciple who died a natural death. He was exiled to the penal colony of Patmos.

The apostle Paul traveled extensively to share the gospel. He was beheaded in Rome.

The apostle John ended his Gospel with these words: “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NLT).

Among the “many other things” was the impact Jesus had on a small group of ordinary people. He changed their lives forever. And, in turn, they changed the world in His name.

As Jesus’ followers, we’re still called to change the world—one life at a time. We have Good News to share—the best news, in fact. If we’re faithful to our calling, we can impact lives for eternity.

 

Reflection question: In what ways would you like to be bolder in sharing your faith with others?

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