Acts 1:1 Dear Theophilos:
In the first book, I wrote about everything Yeshua set out to do and teach, 2 until the day when, after giving instructions through the Ruach HaKodesh to the emissaries whom he had chosen, he was taken up into heaven.
3 After his death he showed himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. During a period of forty days they saw him, and he spoke with them about the Kingdom of God.
4 At one of these gatherings, he instructed them not to leave Yerushalayim but to wait for “what the Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5 For Yochanan used to immerse people in water; but in a few days, you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh!”
6 When they were together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore self-rule to Isra’el?” 7 He answered, “You don’t need to know the dates or the times; the Father has kept these under his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Ruach HaKodesh comes upon you; you will be my witnesses both in Yerushalayim and in all Y’hudah and Shomron, indeed to the ends of the earth!”
9 After saying this, he was taken up before their eyes; and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were staring into the sky after him, suddenly they saw two men dressed in white standing next to them. 11 The men said, “You Galileans! Why are you standing, staring into space? This Yeshua, who has been taken away from you into heaven, will come back to you in just the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned the Shabbat-walk distance from the Mount of Olives to Yerushalayim. 13 After entering the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. The names of the emissaries were Kefa, Ya‘akov, Yochanan, Andrew, Philip, T’oma, Bar-Talmai, Mattityahu, Ya‘akov Ben-Halfai, Shim‘on “the Zealot,” and Y’hudah Ben-Ya‘akov. 14 These all devoted themselves single-mindedly to prayer, along with some women, including Miryam (Yeshua’s mother), and his brothers. (Complete Jewish Bible).
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The disciples and followers of Jesus just didn’t understand what the kingdom of God was. Despite spending time with Jesus—some of them were his close companions—they still miscomprehended what Jesus was about and how his kingdom functioned. Jesus had been resurrected and what they wanted to know was when he was going to kick out the oppressive Romans and restore the kingdom of Israel to it’s former glory.
Christ’s answer was not what they expected: it’s not your job to know when, but know that the Holy Spirit will come and empower you to be my witnesses to every corner of the world. As Jesus ascended into heaven, they stood mouths agape and eyes fixed on a point in the sky. How could they wrap their minds around this last bit of information? They waited and prayed constantly.
The followers of Christ wasted no time in trying to fit what he said into their own understandings. They-men and women-gathered together and prayed. They would not know the time or day, so they waitited and prayed. They could not plan the next move, so they waited and prayed.
When you do not know what to do: wait and pray.
Hymn for Today: "I Need Thee Every Hour" by Annie S. Hawks.
1. I need thee every hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine
can peace afford.
Refrain: I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee!
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to thee.
2. I need thee every hour,
stay thou near by;
temptations lose their power
when thou art nigh.
Refrain: I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee!
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to thee.
3. I need thee every hour,
in joy or pain;
come quickly, and abide,
or life is vain.
Refrain: I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee!
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to thee.
4. I need thee every hour;
teach me thy will,
and thy rich promises
in me fulfill.
Refrain: I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee!
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to thee.
Thought for Today: Now I call on you, God, for you will answer me.
Turn your ear to me, hear my words. (Psalm 17:6).
Please pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Chile.
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