Jesus had been preparing the disciples for that time when he would leave them to go back to the Father. In the chapter preceding the one read today Jesus told them that in a day or so he would be leaving them and then in a day or so he would be back. His disciples were confused and couldn’t figure out what he meant.
When he compared their feelings at the time of his leaving to a woman giving birth they got it. It would be hard and painful for them. They really didn’t know how hard it would be. Their feelings at his return would be similar to a new mother’s joy when she gets to hold that new baby in her arms. Remember their excitement when he appeared to them in the room where they celebrated the Passover together?
And now in the reading from Acts they are together for the last time with Jesus and don’t you wonder if they really grasp what Jesus has been telling them about his leaving them? They still want to know if he’s going to restore the kingdom of Israel as it was before.
Jesus doesn’t say it’s not going to happen he says that no one knows the timing of it, only God knows when. The important thing was that when Jesus left they were going to receive power to be witnesses in all the world when the Holy Spirit came. Yet again, they probably didn’t have any idea what that meant.
They didn’t have any more time to ask anymore questions because after he said that he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They must have been standing there for a while staring up in the clouds because it took two angels to break their reverie and bring them back to the reality of the moment.
So what did they do? They went back to their meeting place. They were there supporting each other constantly in prayer, men and women.
Friends, I believe that same power is available to each and every one of us. All we have to do to gain access to this power is believe. When we believe we have access to the Holy Spirit. We, then, are enabled to be witnesses for God and Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The other part we don’t want to miss is that they used this power together supporting each other in prayer, constantly, daily, men and women together. Doesn’t it make you wonder if we shouldn’t come together more often and pray? Don’t you wonder about what might be accomplished if we did do that?
Do you suppose God is just waiting for us to come together and pray? I wonder. Do you suppose we are missing out on real and eternal life right now? Is that possible? I wonder.
Friends, what I do believe is that God is waiting for us. He has given us the Word, the ability to read and reason and to pray. He has given us each other. Are we doing everything God has asked us and expects of us? I wonder.
All of this is rich and full of God’s power. Read these passages again and let the yeast of God’s Holy Spirit work in your mind and soul and then let’s see where God leads us, together.
Friends, remember God loves you. Thanks be to God. Amen.
