Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Acts 1:1–14

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set 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, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. (NRSV)

Reflection
This text tells us that we are empowered to continue the work of Jesus, even though he is no longer on this earth. Jesus continued to teach the apostles in the forty days after his resurrection. He promised them that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and give them strength and knowledge to continue the message.

He promises to return but doesn’t give a timeframe, instead saying, “It is not for you to know.” And one of the strongest messages in this passage is the promise by the two men in white robes that Jesus will return. So we trust that he will return.

We trust that the Holy Spirit comes upon us and gives us the strength we need to continue spreading the good word.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, after you ascended into heaven, your apostles continued spreading your word and your message of love for everyone. Keep that spirit alive in us all. Give us the strength to continue spreading the good word. Amen.

Written by Chris Horsman, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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