
This Week's
Lectionary:
7th
Sunday of Easter – White or Gold
Ascension
Sunday
Lectionary
Scripture:
*Acts
1:6-14
Psalm
68:1-10, 32-35
1
Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John
17:1-11
Acts
1:6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now
restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7
He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father
has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9
When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a
cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly
into the sky as he went, behold,[a] two men stood by them in white clothing, 11
who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This
Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way
as you saw him going into the sky.”
12
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near
Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had come in, they went up
into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James,
Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon
the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord continued
steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the
mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Footnotes:
a.
Acts 1:10 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or
gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Psalm
68: For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song.
1
Let God arise!
Let his enemies be scattered!
Let them who hate him also flee before him.
2
As smoke is driven away,
so drive them away.
As
wax melts before the fire,
so let the wicked perish at the presence of
God.
3
But let the righteous be glad.
Let them rejoice before God.
Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.
4
Sing to God! Sing praises to his name!
Extol him who rides on the clouds:
to
Yah, his name!
Rejoice before him!
5
A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows,
is God in his holy habitation.
6
God sets the lonely in families.
He
brings out the prisoners with singing,
but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched
land.
7
God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness...
Selah.
8
The earth trembled.
The sky also poured down rain at the
presence of the God of Sinai—
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9
You, God, sent a plentiful rain.
You confirmed your inheritance, when it was
weary.
10
Your congregation lived therein.
You, God, prepared your goodness for the
poor.
32
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth!
Sing praises to the Lord!
Selah.
33
To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old;
behold, he utters his voice, a mighty
voice.
34
Ascribe strength to God!
His excellency is over Israel,
his strength is in the skies.
35
You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries.
The God of Israel gives strength and power
to his people.
Praise be to God!
1
Peter 4:12 Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon
you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13 But because you
are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his
glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14 If you are insulted for the
name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests
on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you
in due time; 7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
8
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks
around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Withstand him
steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are
undergoing the same sufferings. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called you
to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while,
perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To him be the glory and the
power forever and ever. Amen.
John
17:1 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said,
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify
you; 2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life
to all whom you have given him. 3 This is eternal life, that they should know
you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified you
on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. 5
Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you
before the world existed. 6 I revealed your name to the people whom you have
given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They
have kept your word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have
given me are from you, 8 for the words which you have given me I have given to
them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you, and they
have believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world,
but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All things that are
mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 I am no more
in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father,
keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even
as we are.
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John
Wesley’s Notes-Commentary for:
John Wesley’s
Notes-Commentary:
*Acts 1:6-14
Verse 6
[6] When they
therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at
this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Dost thou at this
time — At the time thou now speakest of? not many days hence? restore the
kingdom to Israel? - They still seemed to dream of an outward, temporal
kingdom, in which the Jews should have dominion over all nations. It seems they
came in a body, having before concerted the design, to ask when this kingdom
would come.
Verse 7
[7] And he said unto
them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath
put in his own power.
The times or the
seasons — Times, in the language of the Scriptures, denote a longer; seasons, a
shorter space.
Which the Father hath
put in his own power — To be revealed when and to whom it pleaseth him.
Verse 8
[8] But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth.
But ye shall receive
power — and shall be witnesses to me - That is, ye shall be empowered to
witness my Gospel, both by your preaching and suffering.
Verse 12
[12] Then returned
they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a
sabbath day's journey.
A Sabbath-day's
journey — The Jews generally fix this to two thousand cubits, which is not a
mile.
Verse 13
[13] And when they
were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and
James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew,
James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
They went up into the
upper room — The upper rooms, so frequently mentioned in Scripture, were
chambers in the highest part of the house, set apart by the Jews for private
prayer. These, on account of their being so retired and convenient, the
apostles now used for all the offices of religion. Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14;
Luke 6:13.
Verse 14
[14] These all
continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary
the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
His brethren — His
near kinsmen, who for some time did not believe; it seems not till near his
death.
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
Verse 4
[4] Sing unto God,
sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name
JAH, and rejoice before him.
Jah — Is an
abbreviation of the name Jehovah, which the Heathens pronounced Jao.
Before him — Before
the ark where he is present, as David is said to dance before the Lord, upon
this occasion, 2 Samuel 6:14.
Verse 5
[5] A father of the
fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Habitation — In
heaven.
Verse 6
[6] God setteth the
solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but
the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
Rebellious — Those
who rebel against God.
Verse 7
[7] O God, when thou
wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness;
/*Selah*/:
Wentest — In the
cloudy pillar, as their captain leading them up out of Egypt.
Verse 8
[8] The earth shook,
the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at
the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Dropped — Poured down
great showers, which accompanied those mighty thunders.
Verse 9
[9] Thou, O God,
didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when
it was weary.
Weary — Dry and
thirsty, and parched with excessive heat, and ready to faint for want of rain,
Psalms 63:1.
Verse 10
[10] Thy congregation
hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
Thy congregation —
The people of Israel.
It — This land for
the use of thy people: which God did by designing it for them, and expelling
the old inhabitants; by furnishing it with all sorts of provisions, and making
it fruitful by his special blessing.
Poor — Such thy
really were, when God undertook the conduct of them into Canaan.
Verse 33
[33] To him that
rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his
voice, and that a mighty voice.
Heavens — The highest
heavens; dwelling there in infinite glory, and from thence looking down upon
all the inhabitants of the earth, and ruling them by his almighty power.
Of old — From the
beginning of the world; whereas the ark was only some hundred years old.
A voice — His gospel,
published by Christ and his apostles, assisted by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven; which might well be called God's voice, and that a mighty voice,
because it produced such great and wonderful effects.
Verse 34
[34] Ascribe ye
strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the
clouds.
Ascribe — Acknowledge
that he is able to do whatsoever he pleaseth.
Excellency — His
excellent power and goodness.
Is over — Dwells
among them. He is indeed the universal Lord, but in a special manner, he is the
God of Israel.
Verse 35
[35] O God, thou art
terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength
and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
Terrible — Deservedly
to be feared.
1 Peter 4:12-14;
5:6-11
Verse 12
[12] Beloved, think
it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some
strange thing happened unto you:
Wonder not at the
burning which is among you — This is the literal meaning of the expression. It
seems to include both martyrdom itself, which so frequently was by fire, and
all the other sufferings joined with, or previous to, it; which is permitted by
the wisdom of God for your trial. Be not surprised at this.
Verse 13
[13] But rejoice,
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
But as ye partake of
the sufferings of Christ — 1 Peter 4:1, while ye suffer for his sake, rejoice
in hope of more abundant glory. For the measure of glory answers the measure of
suffering; and much more abundantly.
Verse 14
[14] If ye be
reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of
God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he
is glorified.
If ye are reproached
for Christ — Reproaches and cruel mockings were always one part of their
sufferings.
The Spirit of glory
and of God resteth upon you — The same Spirit which was upon Christ, Luke 4:18.
He is here termed, the Spirit of glory, conquering all reproach and shame, and
the Spirit of God, whose Son, Jesus Christ is.
On their part he is
blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified — That is, while they are
blaspheming Christ, you glorify him in the midst of your sufferings, 1 Peter
4:16.
Verse 6
[6] Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
The hand of God — Is
in all troubles.
Verse 7
[7] Casting all your
care upon him; for he careth for you.
Casting all your care
upon him — In every want or pressure.
Verse 8
[8] Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:
But in the mean time
watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care
upon him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of watching! Be
vigilant - As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this
your care.
As a roaring lion —
Full of rage.
Seeking — With all
subtilty likewise.
Whom he may devour or
swallow up — Both soul and body.
Verse 9
[9] Whom resist
stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in
your brethren that are in the world.
Be the more
steadfast, as ye know the same kind of afflictions are accomplished in - That
is, suffered by, your brethren, till the measure allotted them is filled up.
Verse 10
[10] But the God of
all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after
that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle
you.
Now the God of all
grace — By which alone the whole work is begun, continued, and finished in your
soul.
After ye have
suffered a while — A very little while compared with eternity.
Himself — Ye have
only to watch and resist the devil: the rest God will perform.
Perfect — That no
defect may remain.
Stablish — That
nothing may overthrow you.
Strengthen — That ye
may conquer all adverse power.
And settle you — As
an house upon a rock. So the apostle, being converted, does now
"strengthen his brethren."
John 17:1-11
Verse 2
[2] As thou hast
given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as
thou hast given him.
As thou hast given
him power over all flesh — This answers to glorify thy Son. That he may give
eternal life, etc.-This answers to that thy Son may glorify thee.
To all whom thou hast
given him — To all believers. This is a clear proof that Christ designed his
sacrifice should avail for all: yea, that all flesh, every man, should partake
of everlasting life. For as the Father had given him power over all flesh, so
he gave himself a ransom for all.
Verse 3
[3] And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent.
To know — By loving,
holy faith, thee the only true God - The only cause and end of all things; not
excluding the Son and the Holy Ghost, no more than the Father is excluded from
being Lord, 1 Corinthians 8:6; but the false gods of the heathens; and Jesus Christ
- As their prophet, priest, and king: this is life eternal - It is both the way
to, and the essence of, everlasting happiness.
Verse 4
[4] I have glorified
thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
I have finished the
work — Thus have I glorified thee, laying the foundation of thy kingdom on
earth.
Verse 5
[5] And now, O
Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with
thee before the world was.
The glory which I had
— He does not say received - He always had it, till he emptied himself of it in
the days of his flesh.
Verse 6
[6] I have manifested
thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were,
and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
I have manifested thy
name — All thy attributes; and in particular thy paternal relation to
believers; to the men whom thou hast given me - The apostles, and so John
17:12.
They were thine — By
creation, and by descent from Abraham.
And thou hast given
them me — By giving them faith in what I have spoken. So John 17:9.
Verse 7
[7] Now they have
known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Now they know that
all things — Which I have done and spoken, are of thee - And consequently right
and true.
Verse 8
[8] For I have given
unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have
known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst
send me.
They have received
them — By faith.
Verse 9
[9] I pray for them:
I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are
thine.
I pray not for the
world — Not in these petitions, which are adapted to the state of believers
only. (He prays for the world at John 17:21,23, that they may believe - That
they may know God hath sent him.) This no more proves that our Lord did not
pray for the world, both before and afterward, than his praying for the
apostles alone, John 17:6-19, proves that he did not pray for them also which
shall believe through their word, John 17:20.
Verse 10
[10] And all mine are
thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
All things that are
mine are thine, and that are thine are mine — These are very high and strong
expressions, too grand for any mere creature to use; as implying that all
things whatsoever, inclusive of the Divine nature, perfections, and operations,
are the common property of the Father and the Son. And this is the original
ground of that peculiar property, which both the Father and the Son have in the
persons who were given to Christ as Mediator; according to what is said in the
close of the verse, of his being glorified by them; namely, believing in him,
and so acknowledging his glory.
Verse 11
[11] And now I am no
more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father,
keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be
one, as we are.
Keep them through thy
name — Thy power, mercy, wisdom, that they may be one - with us and with each
other; one body, separate from the world: as we are - By resemblance to us,
though not equality.
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Today’s Devotion:
Romans 14:19 So then,
let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may
build one another up. 20 Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things
indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block
by eating. 21 It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which
your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
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Wichita KS 67207
316-686-0600
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