Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-13

Most people enjoy a birthday, even if they don’t always admit it.  It is especially fun if there is a birthday celebration.  This Sunday is a special birthday for Christians.  No, it’s not the birthday of a special saint or some well-known religious leader.  It is the birthday of the Christian Church, which falls on the festival of Pentecost each year.  It was on the day of Pentecost, a little over a week after Jesus ascended back into heaven, that the Holy Spirit came down upon them.  Let’s take a look at St. Luke’s account of this day.

About ten days earlier, Jesus had taken His disciples to Mt. Olivet, just outside of Jerusalem.  He gave them some final instructions, along with the promise of the coming Holy Spirit, and then ascended into the clouds, back to heaven.  One of those instructions was to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Now, as they are gathered together praying, the Holy Spirit comes, empowering the apostles to speak real human languages as a sign to Israel that God was beginning a new era, the Church Age, and authenticating the apostles’ message about the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Pentecost was a  Jewish pilgrimage feast, and there were Jews from all over the known world there in Jerusalem that day.  This feast day celebrated the first fruits harvest, where they gave thanks to God.  They also would renew their covenant with God.  The Holy Spirit coming on this day was a sign of the first fruits of the Church Age.

There were three signs that accompanied the arrival of the Holy Spirit (vs. 2-4).  First, there was the sound of a rushing mighty wind.  There was not an actual wind, but a sound.  This symbolized God’s life-giving power, as was also seen with the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:9-10).  There also appeared what looked like tongues of fire.  This was not literal fire, but had the appearance of it.  Fire often symbolizes God’s presence and purification.  Lastly, the final sign was the disciples being able to speak in other tongues.  The Greek word used, “glossa”, which means a language or dialect used by a particular people.  These were known human languages, not ecstatic speech, as we see later in verses 6 and 8.

Luke proceeded to list about fifteen regions, which represent the Middle East, North Africa, Asia Minor, and Europe.  This shows the global scope of God’s plan.  This sudden ability to speak in languages that were previously unknown to them was a sign to unbelieving Israel (Isaiah 28:22; I Corinthians 14:21).  It was a demonstration of God’s power, and a tool for proclaiming the wonderful works of God.  The apostles were not preaching random messages, they were declaring God’s mighty acts, such as the resurrection of Jesus, the fulfillment of prophecy, and God’s redemptive plan.

The crowds gathered in the streets of Jerusalem that morning brought two reactions and responses (vs. 12-13).  Some were amazed and open to what this would mean, and others thought the disciples were drunk.  This pattern of some being open to God’s Word, and others scornfully rejecting it would continue throughout the Book of Acts.  We see that today, as well.  The Gospel message divides.

In Acts 2, where we witness the birth of the Church, we see the beginning of the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers.  Prior to this time, in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit only gave temporary empowerment.  Now He permanently indwells all believers, sealing them (Ephesians 1:13-14), and baptizing them into the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).  We are witnessing here the Great Commission in action (Matthew 28:18-20).

In His final words to the disciples, Jesus had told them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  He did not want them to go out without His empowerment.  Just as the apostles could not fulfill their mission without the Holy Spirit, neither can believers today.  We, like them, are dependent upon the Holy Spirit.

These disciples were ordinary men and women.  None of them had advanced university diplomas hanging on their walls at home.  However, God empowered them to speak languages they had never learned, enabling them to witness to all who were in Jerusalem that day.  God still uses ordinary people today.  If we depend upon His power, going where He leads, God will use us just as He did them.  We, too, can expect mixed responses.  Some will be amazed at God’s Word, others will mock.  Faithfulness to God in all things matters more than results.

Jesus' High Priestly Prayer

John 17:1-11

When we think of The Lord’s Prayer, we usually think of the prayer that begins with “Our Father, who art in heaven”.  What if I told you that there is another Scripture passage which could more accurately be called the Lord’s Prayer?  In the Gospel of John, the Apostle records a much longer prayer that the Lord Jesus made to His Father, which many have called the “real” Lord’s Prayer.  Let’s take a quick look this morning at a portion of this.

In Matthew 6:9-13, we read what has traditionally been called the Lord’s Prayer.  It was given that name in the early 3rd century.  It is a very beautiful prayer, one that we recite all the time, and more importantly, is one that the Lord taught His disciples when they asked Him how to pray.  Some people today have said that it more rightly should be called the Disciples Prayer, as it was taught to the disciples, and that what we read in John’s Gospel could be called the Lord’s Prayer.  This is Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, and in our portion of this chapter, we read where He prays for Himself (vs. 1-5), and also prays for His disciples (vs. 6-11).

As our Scripture opens, we read where Jesus prayed to His Father for Himself.   He spoke of how the “hour has come”, which refers to the time when He will give His life for the redemption of mankind (vs. 1).  The cross was not an accident. It was a divine appointment, one that Jesus specifically came to earth to accomplish.  He went to the cross both willingly and knowingly.  The cross is the supreme display of God’s glory.  The Son was obedient which glorified the Father, and the Father glorified the Son through His resurrection and exaltation.

Jesus prayed that the Father would glorify Him with the same glory He had when He was in heaven, before the world was (vs. 5).  One way that Jesus will be glorified is when people come to know Him as Savior, and receive salvation and eternal life.  Jesus defined eternal life as knowing the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent (vs. 3).  Contrary to the belief that everyone will go to heaven and have eternal life, Jesus said here that only those who know Him as Savior will have eternal life in heaven.

Jesus spoke of the glory that He had with the Father before the world was (vs. 5).  This is one of the clearest statements of Jesus Christ’s deity.  He was pre-existent from all eternity.  We also see that He is equal with the Father.  This is a cornerstone text for the doctrine of the Trinity.

Next, the Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples (vs. 6-11). Jesus had displayed and shown the Father’s Name to the disciples.  He presented and revealed to them God’s character, His truth, and His nature.  The disciples’ faith was evidence of Jesus’ work in them. Their faith was genuine, they had accepted His words as divine revelation (vs. 8).

Jesus then explicitly stated that He was praying for them, not for the world (vs. 9).  He was praying for those who have accepted Him as their Savior, those who are genuine believers and disciples.  Jesus’ prayers are particular and purposeful. We enjoy a unique relationship with Him, which is contrasted with the world.

Not only did He pray for us, but He reassured the disciples, and us, that He prayed that we will be kept through His Name.  He prayed that we will be protected, unified, sanctified, and sustained against the evil one.  Our security rests in God’s keeping power, and His Name, His character, is the guarantee.  Jesus’ prayers hamstring Satan.  We can depend upon His prayers, and we know that the Father always hears the prayers of His Son.

Finally, we see that Jesus prayed for unity among the believers.  However, this unity is to be based on truth, not just for the sake that we all get along with each other.  We must never compromise the truth for getting along with those who do not hold to Scriptural truth.

As we close this section of John’s Gospel, where Jesus prayed a prayer to the Father that the disciples heard, we can rest in Christ’s authority, knowing that our salvation is grounded in His power.  We can trust in God’s keeping power.  Our security is rooted in His Name.  And then we can pursue unity in the truth, not in compromising any of what God has revealed as truth in His Word.

Fiery Trials

I Peter 4:12-19

You’ve given your life to the Lord Jesus, having accepted Him as Savior, so now shouldn’t your life be going smoothly, with few if any problems, and those that do occur, only minor ones?  This is what some false preachers, particularly those who preach the prosperity gospel, have promised.  They promise that if you become a Christian, and if you give to certain ministries, then your life will prosper with minimal problems.  However, what the Lord tells us in His Word in our Scripture passage today, shows us the falseness of this ungodly teaching.  Let’s see what the Lord tells us through His servant St. Peter.

The Apostle Peter wrote his letter to Christians who had been scattered from their homes and neighborhoods throughout the Middle East and Asia Minor.  These believers were facing persecution for their faith.  As Peter sent his message from the Lord, he taught that suffering for Jesus is not an accident or a sign that they were being punished by God, but that it is a part of God’s refining plan.  He taught that they can trust Him who is faithful, while continuing to do what is right.  This passage affirms that God uses trials to refine His people, that judgment begins with the Church, and that suffering for righteousness is a badge of honor, not a cause for shame.

As our Scripture passage begins, Peter instructs us not to think it strange when we go through very difficult times, including periods of persecution (vs. 12).   Fellow apostle, St. Paul wrote that faithful Christians will suffer persecution (II Timothy 3:12).  Fiery trials are not random, but designed by God to test and purify His people.

God has a purpose for our trials.  He uses these experiences to cleanse and purify our lives.  Trials drive us to the Lord. God allows suffering sometimes to get our attention, and bring us back within His will.  It is also a way of testing us, trying our devotion, faith, and endurance to Him.  God also uses trials to demonstrate His power to sustain us and bring glory to Himself.  He also uses it to develop personal righteousness.  God can use suffering to prune us like a plant, and also to teach us obedience.  We should view them as His sanctifying work, not as spiritual failure.

Peter instructs us that when we go through these fiery trials we are to rejoice, because these sufferings identify us with Jesus, and will lead to future glory (vs. 13-14).  When we suffer for our faith we are sharing with Christ’s sufferings.  Insults and rejection because of Jesus means there is evidence of Christ in our life.  It is a mark of genuine discipleship.  We may be suffering now, but God has promised us future joy.  The more believers suffer for Jesus now, the greater their rejoicing when He returns.

Any adversity we experience is temporary because Jesus has given us eternal life.  The Father will ultimately deliver us, whether on earth, or by taking us to our home in heaven.  Our future is absolutely secure because we are in God’s loving and capable hands.

Peter then warns us to be careful what we are suffering for (vs 15-16).  He warns against suffering for something wrong that we have done.  If we are put in prison because of some crime we committed, there is nothing noble in that.  We cannot pretend that we are being persecuted because we are a Christian if our boss had to fire us because we were taking money out of the office cash box, or because we were sleeping on the job.  We are not being persecuted if we are punished for doing wrong, only if we suffer for the Name of Jesus.  Holiness matters.  Suffering for sin brings shame, not honor.  Examine our life honestly - is our suffering due to righteousness or to personal failure.

Our trials are evidence that God is actively sanctifying His Church.  God will purify His people first (vs. 17-18).  If the righteous are scarcely saved, the fate of the ungodly unsaved is far worse.  Believers face God’s refining fire, but unbelievers will face His consuming fire.

Peter concludes with the instruction that those who suffer according to God’s will should commit their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.  God is a faithful Creator - He made us, sustains us, and will vindicate us.  Knowing that, we must keep doing good.  Don’t retreat or compromise, and don’t grow bitter because of trials we go through.  Keep obeying God even when obedience brings suffering.   Contrary to what many false teachers say, persecution is not a sign of God’s absence, but of His refining work.  Nothing will ever touch us without passing through the hands of a faithful Creator.

God Arises And His Enemies Scatter

Psalm 68

Throughout history kingdoms and empires have held victory parades and celebrations after wars, when the victorious king, his generals, and his armies would return.  The enemy had been defeated and scattered.  This was always a joyous time, with the people singing praises to their leaders and soldiers.  The enemy had been defeated!   Our psalm for this week is a song of celebration as God defeats His enemies.  Let’s see what the Lord says in His Word.

Psalm 68 was written by King David, possibly in honor of when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back into Israel, when he placed it in Jerusalem, which had recently been made his capital city (II Samuel 6:1-15).  This was a moment which symbolized God’s enthronement among His people.  David wanted to celebrate Yahweh, the God who arises, scatters His enemies, defends His people, marches with Israel, and reigns from Zion.  The Lord is a Warrior, Protector, Provider, and King.

As we begin our psalm, we see that God arises to scatter His enemies (vs. 1-6).  David echoed the words of Moses which that great leader of Israel spoke during the years in the wilderness, whenever the Ark of the Covenant was taken up when the people journeyed from one location to another (Numbers 10:35).  This is a declaration of God’s unstoppable power.  God literally defeats His enemies, whether they be demonic powers, or the people who serve those powers.  He has done so in the past, and will continue to do so.  Evil will not prevail, and we can rejoice in His presence.

Not only does Yahweh defeat His enemies, He is also a defender of the weak and powerless who put their trust in Him, especially the widow and orphan (vs. 5-6).  These verses are such a comfort.  We all need a father’s love.  Some children never get that, as their father is not there due to either death or divorce.  Some, whose fathers are present, still do not have their love, due to violence, abuse, or neglect.   God promises to be a father to the fatherless, both the orphan, and those who have that father-love void in their hearts.  People today are often so lonely.  Even in crowded cities and workplaces, there is so much loneliness.  At the core of loneliness is our need for God.  St. Augustine said “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”  We can never be perfectly satisfied with any human relationship until we are at peace with God.

Verses 7-10 describe God leading victorious from Mt. Sinai.  The earth shook and the heavens poured rain as God led Israel.  This describes literal, historical events.  God’s presence then, and now, is overwhelming and powerful.  David specifically described how God provided for the needs of His people throughout their wilderness wandering, and He continues to do so today.  He anticipates our needs, and provides from His goodness for the poor.  We can trust Him for all of the necessities we may face.

When the people of Israel arrived in the land that the Lord promised them, He continued to win victories over His enemies (vs. 11-23).  Enemy kings would flee, and God’s people would divide the spoils.  However, it was God, not Israel’s military strength, that was the source of victory.  He promises to crush the heads of His enemies (vs. 21) - a reminder of His divine justice.

Verse 18 is a prophecy that King David made, which was fulfilled when Jesus Christ ascended into heaven (Ephesians 4:8-10).  God promises to load us with benefits (vs. 19).  In order to have room for all those benefits, we need to hand over all of our burdens and worries to Him.  He will exchange our problems for His blessings.  God promises to bear our burdens.  We are not called to bear those burdens ourselves.  Jesus invited us to give them to Him (Matthew 11:28-31).  He reminds us that we don't have to struggle on our own with fears, worries, or trials that weigh us down.  He invites us to come to Him when we are tired from carrying heavy burdens, and promises that we will find rest, and be loaded with blessings.

David proceeded to bring the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing where God resided, into Jerusalem, the Lord’s procession into the Sanctuary of the Tabernacle (vs. 24-27).  A majestic parade of singers, musicians, and tribes celebrates God’s enthronement.  God dwells among His people in holiness.  David then closes the psalm speaking of Yahweh’s universal reign (vs. 28-35).  There is coming a day when all nations will bring Him tribute, and kingdoms sing His praises.  This will occur during the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus.

As we close this psalm, we can see that, as believers, we can trust God to fight our battles.  He still scatters enemies - both spiritual, moral, and circumstantial.  Yahweh also cares for the weak, and bears our burdens, so we can rest in His provision.  From Sinai to Zion, from King David to the Lord Jesus, from Israel to the nations, we see our God, who arises, marches, provides, judges, and reigns forever.

The Lord Was With Joseph

Genesis 39-41

It is very tempting to feel that God is not around or has stepped back when we are going through some difficult, trying times.  We may think that God is angry at us, or that He has abandoned us, especially if we are going through some very devastating events.  Our faith can be severely tested, and sometimes if the trials are particularly severe, some may lose faith all together.  Today let us look at a young man, Joseph, who went through some very horrible trials, none of which he deserved, yet his faith, trust, and love of God stood strong.

Joseph was the eleventh of the twelve sons of Jacob, the first by his favorite and most beloved wife Rachel, and thus was Jacob’s favorite son.  Because Joseph was his father’s favorite, his other brothers grew to hate him.  Their hatred grew to such an extreme that one day when their father had sent him to check on them out in a distant field with their flocks of sheep, they stripped him, threw him into a deep pit, and then sold him to passing merchants (Genesis 37:23-28).  These merchants were heading to Egypt, about 300 miles from where the sons of Jacob had been, thus forcing a probably beaten up and scantily clothed Joseph to walk for about two weeks in the hot sun.  Once in Egypt the merchants sold him as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of the guard for the Egyptian army.

This is where our Scripture account begins, and one would not be surprised if we read that Joseph was cursing God, angrily screaming out at Him as to why He let all this happen to him, especially after having followed Him for all of his life.  However, that is not the case.  Joseph’s faith remained intact. As mentioned earlier, many of us feel that we have been abandoned by God when severe trials happen, but we see that God had not abandoned Joseph.  We read several times in our Scripture that the Lord was with him, even after his brother’s betrayal, and being sold as a slave (vs. 39:2).  As a matter of fact, because Joseph was an extraordinarily bright young man, and had shown himself trustworthy as Potiphar’s slave, he made Joseph the head of his household, his chief steward.  God’s presence is not dependent on our circumstances.  Even in slavery, Joseph was under divine favor.  Our circumstances do not determine God’s nearness - His promises do.

Some time after this, Joseph faced a strong temptation.  Potiphar’s wife tried to tempt him to go to bed with her (vs. 39:7-13).  As the wife of a high-ranking man in Pharaoh’s court and military, she was undoubtedly quite attractive.  However, Joseph refused, as he had integrity.  He said that such an act would be a sin against God, and also a betrayal of his master’s trust.  Joseph fled, he didn’t negotiate with sin.  Sexual purity is non-negotiable for believers.  Holiness requires decisive action.  Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is run when faced with strong temptation.

Circumstances took another turn for the worse in Joseph’s life because of this.  Potiphar’s wife told a terrible lie, both to the other servants who were all too quick to believe her, and to her husband.  Potiphar then has Joseph thrown into prison, despite doing right (vs. 39:16-20).  How many of us would be angry at God right now?  We did what was right, and look what happened?  Doing right does not guarantee immediate reward, but it is still what believers should do.  God allows trials to shape character and to position His servants.  Joseph’s suffering was not punishment, it was preparation for what God had planned.

Again Scripture records that God was with Joseph, and he knew it.  Rather than getting angry with the Lord, he served Him whatever his circumstances were, and wherever he was.  Don’t wait for ideal conditions to serve God.  Faithfulness starts where you are.  Just like in Potiphar’s household, Joseph’s integrity and trustworthiness showed, and he was placed in a position of trust and authority in the prison (vs. 39:21-23) .  It was here that Joseph interpreted the dreams of two of Pharaoh’s servants who were imprisoned.  Both dreams came true, and the one who was restored to his position, promised to speak on Joseph’s behalf (vs. 40:1-23).  Regarding the dreams, Joseph gave God the credit for the interpretation.  He refused to take glory for himself, even though that might have improved his circumstances.  Wherever we are, we should always use our gifts, but give God the glory.

Though Pharaoh’s cupbearer forgot about Joseph, the Lord hadn’t.  Two years passed, but God’s timing was perfect.  Pharoah had a troubling dream, which caused the cupbearer to remember his promise to Joseph, who was quickly brought out of prison where he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream.  God orchestrated these events with precision.  He can change our situation in a single moment.  What seems like delay is really divine timing.  By warning of events that were to come, Pharaoh placed Joseph in chief command as his prime minister (vs. 41:37-44).

All of the events in Joseph’s life led up to that moment, and ultimately saved his family, preserving the family line for the Messiah, Jesus Christ (vs. 41:53-57).  Just as we have seen that God had not abandoned Joseph, but was continually with him, we can know that He is with us, too, even in our darkest hours.  He directs every detail to fulfill His covenant promises.  God’s purposes are bigger than our pain.  He will use trials to position us for the work He has for us to do for Him.

Final Instructions

Mark 16:9-20

When your boss is going to be gone for a while, maybe on vacation, he usually leaves a set of instructions of what he wants you to be doing while he is away.  Teachers and parents leave the children with instructions of what they want done.  In our Gospel reading today, St. Mark not only gives some brief accounts of things that happened right after the Resurrection, but also includes some specific instructions that the Lord gave before He ascended back into heaven.  Let’s take a look at what these are.

As our Scripture passage opens, Mark briefly relates some post-resurrection appearances that the Lord Jesus made.  The first one he speaks of was to Mary Magdalene (vs. 9-11).  She was one of a few women who had initially come to the tomb to anoint the Body of Jesus.  They each saw and heard the angels’ message, and the others hurried back to the disciples.  Mary Magdalene, though, remained at the tomb.  It was there that she saw Jesus, and He spoke with her.  However, when she returned to the disciples and told them, they did not really believe her.

Mary Magdalene was a woman who Jesus had cast out seven demons (Luke 8:1-3).  We don’t know what had happened that opened the door for her to become possessed, but after her deliverance Mary Magdalene became a devoted disciple.  God delights in transforming broken lives, and using them for His glory.  The Lord chose her to be the first person to see the risen Savior.  He often uses the unlikely or overlooked to accomplish His purposes.

Next, Mark relates the Lord’s appearance to a couple who were traveling out of Jerusalem to their home in the village of Emmaus (vs. 12-13).  This parallels the account that Luke gave in Luke 24:13-35.  These two were also disciples, and were returning home, downcast and discouraged by all that had happened the last few days.  On the road they met a stranger, who happened to be Jesus, but they didn’t immediately recognize Him.  Later they did, and they hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, who again did not believe.

Continuing on in our passage, we read that Jesus then later appeared to His eleven apostles, and reproves them for their unbelief and hardness of heart (vs. 14).  They should have been expected to believe, as Jesus had shared with them numerous times what was to have happened - that He would be betrayed, turned over to His enemies, crucified, and on the third day rise again.

In verses 15-16, Jesus gives them His commission to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel, a commission that most of us are familiar with from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 28:16-20).  Their upcoming ministry was to be universal, “preach the Gospel to every creature”, not to stay put and tell only their friends and relatives.  Instead, they were to go tell all nations.  Those who believe and follow Jesus will be saved, those who don’t will be lost.

Jesus then instructs them in some miraculous signs that will follow those who go forth proclaiming the Gospel (vs. 17-18).  They will be able to cast out demons, speak in new tongues, have protection from deadly harm, and heal the sick.  These signs were real, supernatural, and gave clear evidence to the apostles' message in the early Church.  None of these should ever be done with the intent of testing God - deliberately picking up poisonous snakes because “God will protect me”, or deliberately drinking poison because “God will protect me.  St. Paul unknowingly picked up a deadly snake, but God protected him from any harm (Acts 28:1-6).  These were the instructions that Jesus gave His followers.  They should preach the Gospel to everyone, and signs of the Holy Spirit’s presence, signs that bring praise and glory to the Name of Jesus, will follow.

Then in the presence of His disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven, where He is seated at God’s right hand (vs. 19).  His ascension affirms His deity  and authority.  Whoever is seated at a powerful ruler’s right hand not only has his favor, but also has his ear.  Jesus is at God’s right hand, and what a blessing for us, He is interceding for us to the Father.  His position at God’s right hand guarantees the success of the Gospel mission.  We serve a risen, reigning, sovereign Lord.

Mark wraps up this Scripture passage, along with his Gospel by stating that the disciples did exactly what the Lord commanded.  They went out preaching the message of salvation, with the Lord working through them, confirming the Word with signs and wonders (vs. 20).  Obedience to the Lord will bring divine empowerment.  God will always confirm His Word. He does not leave His servants without help.  The same Lord who empowered the apostles, empowers believers today through the Holy Spirit.  We should also remember that God uses ordinary people - Mary Magdalene, doubting disciples, and believers today.

The King Ascends, The Church Advances

Acts 1:4-11

Thursday of this week marks the Feast of the Ascension in the Christian calendar, the day, approximately forty days after Easter, when Jesus ascended back into heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of God the Father.  We will read the account of this in our Scripture today, where we see the risen Christ commission His church, give the promise of the Holy Spirit, ascend into heaven, and we are given a guarantee of His return.

As our Scripture opens, Jesus had taken His disciples out of Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives, nearby the village of Bethany, which is just a couple of miles from Jerusalem (Luke 24:50-51).  Though Jesus had told them before that He would be returning to the Father, I don’t believe they knew what was going to happen that day.  He had instructed them that they were to be His witnesses, bringing the Gospel message to the world.  Now, as they were on the Mount of Olives, Jesus told them that they were to return to Jerusalem.  They were to wait, not work, until they received the promised power of the Holy Spirit (vs. 4-5).  This was a command, a divine directive, and not a suggestion.  They were not to proceed further until they had the power of the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist had baptized with water, but they would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  This shows a clear distinction between John’s preparatory ministry and Jesus’ empowering ministry.  This baptism of the Holy Spirit would occur about 1 ½ weeks later, at Pentecost.  However at this time they did not understand or know.  This would empower them for the ministry of spreading the Gospel.  God’s work must be done in God’s power, not with just human enthusiasm.  They were to wait on God.

As the disciples were gathered with Jesus on the Mount of Olives, they were still expecting an immediate political kingdom, a restoration of the kingdom of Israel, bringing them out from any type of foreign control (vs. 6-7).  Jesus, though, redirected their focus to the spiritual mission they had.  Their expectation was rooted in Old Testament prophecy.  It was Biblical, however their timing was off.  Jesus did not deny the future restoration of Israel, He simply said that the timing is the Father’s business, not theirs right then.  Times and dates are set by God.  We too should not be trying to set dates for when Jesus will return.  Our calling is to spread the Gospel message, seeing people come to saving faith in Jesus, not in date-setting.

Verse 8 is the mission of the Church, and is basically the outline of the entire Book of Acts in a nutshell.  The disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit would come upon them, and then they were to be witnesses for Jesus, not debaters, politicians, or philosophers.  Their mission was to expand outward.  It would start in Jerusalem on Pentecost (local), and was to proceed to Judea (regional), then also into Samaria (cross-cultural), and outward to the end of the earth (global).  God made us for a purpose.  We are to take the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ into the world.  The Lord desires us to reach others for Him.

It took a little while for the early Christians to move outward, beyond Judea, beyond their own nationality and culture, to witness to Gentiles and welcome them into the Church.  But the Holy Spirit moved with events and His conviction and encouragement, and He ensured it happened.  The Church’s mission is proclaiming the risen Savior Jesus, and the power for this comes from the Holy Spirit.  Every believer is called to be a witness.  The Gospel is to move outward.  If we are not reaching outward, we are resisting the Holy Spirit’s design.

Following these instructions, Jesus physically, visibly, and bodily ascended into heaven (vs. 9-11).  Jesus was taken up bodily, this was not symbolic or spiritualized.  A cloud received Him, which is often a symbol in the Bible of God’s glory.  Two angels then appeared, bringing the disciples a message.  They asked why the disciples were just standing there, gaping up into the sky.  Their implication was to stop staring and to start obeying what Jesus had just told them.  They proceeded to then tell them that Jesus would return.  In His return He would come down from heaven, visibly and bodily.

Jesus is now exalted, seated at the Father’s right hand.  There He is our Intercessor, our High Priest (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34).  Ascension Day calls us to worship Jesus as our exalted Lord and trusted Intercessor.  We are to serve Him as we await His return.

As we take a final look at the disciples in our Scripture for today, we see that none of these men were well-traveled before Jesus called them.  Their ways were not sophisticated.  They had little formal education.  They didn’t have a lot of humility, as several tried to grab positions in Jesus’ kingdom.  Peter tried to get Jesus to avoid the cross.  They fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Yet Jesus chose them and commissioned them to bring His message to the world.  You may not think that you have what it takes to be a witness for Jesus.  Or some other people may tell you the same, that you’re not smart or qualified.  Just remember, God doesn’t call the qualified.  He qualifies those He has called.