Luke 24:49 (NIV)
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
We listen to so many words in our lives, don’t we? Seems like people start talking at a very young age-and don’t stop! Unfortunately many of the words people speak are either useless or gossip, or nasty, or even curse words! We were given this beautiful gift of communication by speaking for good purposes. Still, we have convoluted it so words are often an assault on our ears, and ultimately, our thoughts!
Jesus was different, of course! He used every word for good and for God’s glory. When He was nearing the end of His earthly ministry He gave a promise to His disciples. He did not want to leave them without hope, or help, so He talked to them about the Comforter who would come after He had returned to His Father. When my husband and I were first married we thought we would begin a family in a year or two. When we got the news of a positive pregnancy test, we were so very excited, and so very naive, that we told our families almost immediately! We enjoyed all the congratulations, and hugs and best wishes…. until! The day came when my cramping began, followed by blood, way more than should have normally happened. Off to the hospital we go, and a ‘spontaneous abortion’ was pronounced. I did not even realize that was the official medical term for a miscarriage. I screamed! Our hopes were dashed. Years of preparing, and planning were gone and we cried for our loss. Since this was my first pregnancy, I was not sure if I could even carry a baby to full term. That made it even more difficult! The pain we felt must have been similar to the pain and confusion the disciples felt when Jesus said; He must go away, but He would send ‘the Comforter’ to reside with them. Since they had no experience with this before, what did they think? Did they have any clue what God could mean by this? How would He come? When would He come? Would He send someone else? Would He return as a baby again?
We had questions too. How did it happen? Did I do something wrong that caused it? Our hearts were broken as I can imagine the hearts of the disciples would be as well.
About six months later when we received the news of another pregnancy beginning, we were very cautions! We held off telling the family until we were past the ‘danger zone’. I obeyed every word the Dr. told me, and followed most of the ‘old wives’ advice as well. At that point, we allowed ourselves some celebrating, and continued until our perfect baby boy was born!
So just imagine these men (and some women) who had traveled with Jesus for the last three years as they hear Him say He is leaving, but don’t fret! I am sending someone who will be with you always. Would they believe it? Would they do as they were told? Well, some did, some returned to their home, some went to an upstairs room and continued to pray together for 10 days until the Holy Spirit came down like a cloven tongue of fire. It rested on each of the 120 that were left, and He has remained with us ever since. Holy Spirit id the third part of the trinity, and IS God, in a spirit that dwells within us. His ‘job’ is to comfort and guide us. He also motivates people to come to know God by drawing them to Him. We have this sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit constantly! We must acknowledge Him, and respect Him, even as we do God.
Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday. This is an extremely important day in the history of the church. It is the beginning of the ‘church’ as we know it. Yet we would not have a Pentecost Sunday, if we did not have an Ascension Day! Jesus had to leave the earth and return to His Father. The new believers had to do as Jesus had told them…WAIT for Holy Spirit. Then the Holy Spirit could be released to come and dwell within us-permanently! Since the disciples had no experience with this, their sadness must have been overwhelming when they saw Jesus ascend to Heaven. But they had the promise! The promise came in that very powerful word…Wait! That is a hard word for us in our instant generation. But, wait they must. Now we are waiting again for Jesus to return to take us to our ‘forever home’ Heaven! It will happen, I know not when, but I know! We have the ‘down payment’ of Holy Spirit living with us for collateral!
The sadness that we felt at the loss of 2 miscarriages, was set aside for the joy that we received with two sons! I am sure the disciples felt extreme sadness when Jesus left them, but just 10 days later Holy Spirit came to dwell in them, and us, and He is with us always! Our sons are grown and have their own families. We still enjoy their fellowship, of course, but Holy Spirit is always near!
VERSES TO CONSIDER:
JOHN 14:16
JOHN 14:26
JOHN 16:7
JOHN 16:12-13
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