Our scripture this morning is Acts 1:6-11.
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
In this passage we read Luke’s account of the Great Commission and Christ’s ascension. Unfortunately, the disciples still have an earthly mindset, asking “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus sets them straight, saying that is up to God the Father to decide, but He has something else amazing for them.
Jesus tells them “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. This is the fulfillment of His promise that God would send “another advocate” (John 14:16) to guide them in what they are called to do. It is also a job description and a territory assignment, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.
At the end of this passage Jesus ascends to heaven, but two “men” have another promise to share: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven”. Jesus may be leaving us a task, but He is not leaving us alone, and He will be back!
Loving Lord, we are grateful for Your Holy Spirit present with us for guidance and protection. May we go in Your name to bring the Good News to everyone. Amen.
