May 10, 2018 Thursday

“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:1-11 NKJV)

            Acts is a book for the ages but we must remember that Acts was also written as a continuation of the Gospel of Luke to share faith in Jesus to someone with a gentile name by a gentile Christian named Luke.  We need to remember that Acts while being historic is also evangelistic!

            This first chapter of Acts is full of the story of Jesus.  Like episodes today Luke gives us a highlight of the Gospel as he prepares the story of the Church which came out of the story of Jesus.  Too many today the word story means myth or fiction but for many times and in many places story is how great truths are taught and people are able to them into their own lives!

            Take time to list all the episodes of the life of Jesus Luke lists for us in this passage.  As you list them try to understand why Luke chose these parts of the life and ministry of Jesus to share.  What stories of Jesus do you think are important enough to you that you add them?

            A large part of this passage is the Ascension.  The Ascension carries with it many powerful connections but let us look at three.

1.       The Ascension marks the completion of the ministry of Jesus to bring salvation to humanity and reveal God’s love for us.  As Jesus came to earth and took on human flesh now Jesus completes the journey and ascends to where He came from and to the Father – His Father!

2.      The Ascension is the sign of the promise that as Jesus rose from the dead so shall we, but also a sign we will ascend to the Father and to dwell in the presence of God.

3.      Only after the Ascension of Jesus could the Holy Spirit be set free to dwell with us and in us!  The Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth of God, the plan of God and His call upon our life!  Where Jesus because of His humanity could only minister in one place the Holy Spirit is necessary so every heart can be touched by the presence of God!

            As you look at this synopsis of the ministry of Jesus and of the Ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit does this resemble that faith you are living?  Do you look to the promise of Ascension and being with God?  Do you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and guide you into the fullness of God’s plan for the Church and your life?

            Thursday was a very hard day.  I had to rest most of the day.  Bonnie went to lunch with Dorothy Quarles and a friend and later went to the Farmers Market.  Rebecca and Jonathan went to a concert in Georgia and didn’t back until very late.  Bonnie and I had our devotion and later watched a show together.