Today’s Reading: Acts 1:1-13; Psalm 57

ANOTHER CHAPTER IS COMING TO AN END

Why does it seem that life goes by so fast? There are many things I miss about my girls being little but, at the same time, I am really enjoying life with three young adult daughters. Today I can look back and be thankful for those memories, while also looking forward in anticipation of all God has for them. There is this inner conflict of wanting to keep them here by my side for the rest of their lives while also delighting in the beauty of watching them spread their wings and fly.

In the first chapter of Acts, we see the disciples at a similar point in their lives. A chapter is coming to an end and a new chapter is beginning. They have just spent 40 days with the resurrected Christ, listening and learning from Him. During that short time, they gained some understanding of what His time on earth was about, why He had to die, and what was to come. In today’s passage, Jesus is leaving them, and they are caught between “straining to see him” and anticipating the gift He said He would send.

A NEW CHAPTER IS BEGINNING

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.” – Acts 1:1-3

All that Jesus taught his disciples before his crucifixion was only the precursor to all he continued to teach them. Jesus BEGAN a work in them and he saw it to completion. He not only spent these 40 days with them after his resurrection from the dead, he continued to impact them through the Holy Spirit. Before leaving them, he gave them instructions and spoke of the powerful things he would continue to do through them.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” – Acts 1:4-11

STRAINING TO SEE HIM AHEAD

I pray each of us is able to take some time today to look back and look forward. Let’s look back at all God has taught us — all the wonderful times mixed with all of the hard times. He has been faithful and He has been present. Although the evidence of His presence can be seen at a glance, when we take the time to “strain to see him” we recognize His hands and feet in even more ways than we initially remembered.

“John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 1:5

After looking back, let’s intentionally look forward in anticipation of what the future holds for us. God has promises for each one of us. In the same way that He spoke to His disciples, Jesus is speaking to us – this is what is behind you and this is what is coming. Here are the wonderful things I have done for you, but in a few days…

My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth. – Psalm 57:7-11

Precious Father, we thank you for your Presence in our lives. You have been faithful and You have been generous. You have blessed us beyond our expectations and we praise You! Lord, today we sit at your feet and intentionally seek You as we look ahead to the next chapter of our lives. Thank you for all you have done so far and thank You for all You plan to do for us in the future. We love you. Amen.

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. – Acts 1:12-13