When the Disciples saw Jesus
for the last time it must have been quite a sight. The account recorded by Luke
in the book of Acts says, “And when He had said these things, as they were
looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” Acts
1:9 (ESV)
Think about when you are
about to be away from people that are important to you, such as family, close
friends, or possibly even an employer or employees. The last thing you say to
them is usually very important. I love you! Be sure to … Don’t forget to … If
{this} happens then call … Hopefully those you are leaving behind already know these
things, but because it is important you want to make double sure they know it.
I believe the same thing is
true about the final encounter the Disciples had with Jesus. He is leaving earth
to be seated at the right hand of His Father in Heaven. There He will continue
His reign as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of Kings, and Lord of
Lords. There He will make intercession for us, speaking to the Father on our
behalf. However, before He left He gave some last minute instructions to those
closest to Him.
Acts
1:6-8 (ESV)
So
when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time
restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He
said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has
fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
After all the events of
Easter week, His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Passover meal with the
Disciples, being betrayed, tried, and crucified, then buried and coming back to
life three days later, He then lived among them again for several weeks before
this moment. Still some wanted to know if He would conquer Rome and free
Israel. He told them to not worry about those things, “but …”! This is it. The
final word He gave them. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes! He
will empower you to be witnesses!
He could have reiterated the
greatest commandments, “Love the Lord with all your heart, and love your
neighbor as you love yourself.” He could have highlighted a few choice moments
from the Sermon on the Mount, like the Beatitudes or one of the parables. He
could have had them all recite “The Lord’s Prayer”, or a myriad of other
things. But what He chose as His parting words would be the most important
thing that would happen next in God’s plan to fully restore mankind back into
fellowship with Himself.
The Holy Spirit, as Jesus
called Him, “Another Comforter”, would soon be sent to inhabit the Believers.
This would change things in a profound way. Until now, the Holy Spirit had come
“upon” people, but now He would live “in” them. This is what made the New
Covenant “better”, because now we have God within!
Blessings!
Dudley
