While living through this current pandemic, for me, and I’m sure for many of you, it’s the waiting and the not knowing that’s the hardest part.
Reading the Scriptures this morning I realized the disciples faced a similar dilemma. No, they weren’t battling COVID-19, but they were reeling under a predicament they didn’t expect to happen. They’d left their occupations and the approval of others and now Jesus was dead. He said He’d come back but when and how? That days between death and resurrection seemed unending.
During the 40 days after His resurrection Jesus appeared to His followers on a number of occasions but for some, even that didn’t clear up their many questions. During the last recorded earthly event, the apostles had gathered together and they asked Him,“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
My first observation is their focus – the restoration of an earthly kingdom. In our language, Jesus replied: “I’m not telling you, that’s not your responsibility. You wait here until you are empowered to do my work.”
After their conversation, the miracle of ascension to heaven took place. They stood and watched in wonder, then to endorse the credibility of what they’d just observed, two angels assured them it was Jesus. I can only imagine the range of emotions they experienced.
These are the words that challenged and blessed me; I trust they will do the same for you.
“And He said to them. It is not for you to know the times or seasons … but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me ….” (Acts 1)
As we wait to see how this whole scenario plays out, let’s allow God to endow us with power to serve Him while we wait and see.
