Intro: Some stories have predictable endings. However, our lessons and stories in Scripture are always packed with twists, shifts, and surprises. Sometimes when we think we know how something should end, we witness once again that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and that He is the God of the impossible. I will stop right here and shout out a praise for our miraculous, mysterious, and unfathomable God!
In our passage today, Luke reminds us the disciples thought the death of Jesus was the end; however, the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead and he spent 40 days with the disciples. They just got used to having Jesus around again and suddenly he ascends back into heaven. Then, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit and the story continues! So, read your Bible and enjoy the resurrected Christ teaching you as his disciple. Believe in the power he alone can provide you to live as a new creation. Finally, join with your spiritual family in the love of God and be the hands and feet of Jesus for the community. The Holy Spirit will bring you all you need; you have the Father’s promise. Have a blessed weekend.
Acts 1:1-5 The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus [name means ‘one who loves God’], about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for writing not only every story in the Bible, but for continuing to write your story through every disciple who will follow you, today. You are the Beginning and the End. Help us to embrace your power, Holy Spirit! In Jesus’ name. Amen.