ACTS 1:1-11

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

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 which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

POWER

Was the departure of Jesus a bittersweet moment for the disciples? They had met him risen from the dead, after his terrible suffering, crucifixion, and death. The forty days he spent with them would have been full of joy over the resurrection of Jesus, his victory over sin and death.

Then a question came to them: would he restore the kingdom to Israel? The disciples recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. The Messiah was thought to restore the Kingdom in a worldly sense. Their expectations were shaped by their own understanding of the Old Testament covenant between God and his chosen people.

Jesus is having none of it. His priorities and his whole direction is very different than their expectations. His authoritative words remind them that God is in charge: “It is not for you to know”. On the other hand, he also tells them to wait for the Father’s promise to be fulfilled. They are to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Why?

Jesus is calling them to become his witnesses. They are to tell everyone about him, his death, and his resurrection. This is unexpected. Their journey is not ending, but just beginning. No wonder they will need power as they face this monumental task. And where will the journey take them? To Judea (not surprising), to Samaria (wait – these are their enemies). And to the ends of the earth? Yes. The journey is to all peoples, and to the end of time, when Jesus will come again in power.

Those of us who are Christians on earth today are offered the same Holy Spirit, to empower us for the same mission. A challenge? The greatest. But also a blessing, giving us meaning and purpose, filling us with joy. And to those who do not yet know Jesus, this will be the offer of hope and salvation.