As a child, maybe we read the story of Hansel and Gretel, and we know how the two children set out from home one day, dropping breadcrumbs along the way.  After a time, they become lost in the forest, are captured, imprisoned, and fear for their lives.  This childhood story allows us to see an important truth in the Scriptures.

Picture for a moment being totally alone on a huge planet.

See yourself walking away from your home, a place where you have ample supply of needed minerals.  You begin walking, and as you do, the entrance of your home vanishes from sight.  It is not that you have forgotten the sight of your home, but it is that you have gone so far that you can no longer see home.  Even more troubling, when you do turn toward home, you are confused and find that you have forgotten the way home.  Everywhere you look, there is a flat plane.

You WISH you had left a trail of breadcrumbs marking the path back home.

The Good News is You Did!

Early this morning, I read about an ant that lived on a salt plane—a blinding-white & flat horizon in every direction.  These particular ants were required to forage the plane, and they had to forage quickly, for time was so short.  It was a race against time.  As they walked, the heat of the plane burned their tiny feet, so they were required to walk fast to keep their little feet from overheating, burning, and leading them to their death.  The article stated that several died and never made it home.

Within the article, it was amazing how these tiny creatures from God were so well-equipped having sensors (built in navigational devices) that enabled them to walk as fast as was required & to navigate home.

AND YET, SOMETHING MORE WAS REQUIRED FOR THEIR SURVIVAL!

• In order to survive, the entire colony of ants must be involved in the forage so that they could survive.
• In order to survive, the entire colony of ants must believe & accept that their Creator would make the Way for them to survive.

Truly, I do not know many details about this man named Jason, but let’s list what is known:

• Jason lived in the town of Thessalonica.
• Jason lived near a synagogue of the Jews.
• Jason knew that a preacher named Paul was in town; in fact, the preacher had been there three days preaching about a man named Jesus.
• Jason heard the evidence of Jesus’ death, burial, & resurrection.
• Jason also heard Paul say, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” (The Acts of the Apostles 17: 3b NASB)
• Jason heard, was persuaded, believed, and even joined these two God-fearing Greeks.
• Jason welcomed Paul & Silas to his house, & Jason invited some other believing brothers to join him at his house.

Like the believers of the 1^st Century, maybe we face the task of witnessing in an area where we feel ill-equipped to share our faith.  Maybe we are missionaries witnessing in a foreign land where the language, customs, and culture are so different.  It is also possible that the people do not even desire to consider what we proclaim about Jesus Christ.

Like the believers of the 1^st Century, maybe we face the task of witnessing in an area where the local government forbids us from sharing our faith, and if we do, then we will face the prosecution and judgment of that government.  It is possible that the people seem eager to hear what we proclaim about the Lord, but they walk away, fearing their own governmental consequences if they are caught listening and talking with us (the believers).

Like the believers of the 1^st Century, maybe we face the task of witnessing in an area where (like the ants) we must hurry, for time is short, and if we linger, our passage home will burn and be lost forever, trapping us in what seems to be a Godforsaken place.

• The only way to reach the world for Christ is to GO!
• The only way to reach the world for Christ is to WITNESS!
• The only way to reach the world for Christ is to PARTNER WITH OTHER BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST!
• The only way to reach the world for Christ is to BE WILLING TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF JESUS!

Are We Willing to Upset the World—for JESUS?

• Just as the ants God has created, we must build together the church of Jesus together.  We need one another for encouragement, for strength to continue, and for the beautiful unity the family of God provides.
• Just as the ants God has created, we must build together.
• Just as the church of the 1^st Century, we must witness together.
• Just as the early believers, we must press on & not forget to pray in all seasons, both the good and the very difficult.
• Just as the apostle Paul & Silas & Jason & the other believers, we must stand for the cause of Christ Jesus our Savior & Lord.

At a later time, the apostle Paul left Thessalonica and went to Corinth where he met with other believers, stayed with them, and worked at his trade of tent making so that he could earn funds for his next missionary journey.  Still, Paul never stopped going to the synagogue every Sabbath or never stopped witnessing & preaching to the lost.  While there, entire households were saved and baptized.

Today, I would like to end with the words the Lord gave the apostle Paul in a vision, knowing that (like me) you may also be encouraged—to press on & to be willing to upset the world—for JESUS!

A wonderful melody of praise is performed by Elevation Worship in the song “MY TESTIMONY.”

Grab your earbuds.

Listen & Be Reminded of exactly what God has given to us who believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.