Wait Patiently
Opening Prayer
Lord, I know You have good and wise plans for me and my world. I give You praise for that.
Read ACTS 1:1-11
[1] In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach [2] until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. [3] After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. [4] On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” [6] So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [9] After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. [10] They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. [11] “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How does Luke attest to Jesus’ resurrection?For six weeks the apostles had seen Christ alive after he’d been clearly and publicly killed. He had been eating and drinking and talking with them, and explaining the Kingdom (3,4). But, like most Jews, they had also been waiting for the kingdom of Israel to be given back to them. And they had, over three roller-coaster years, seen the lame walk, the sick healed and lives changed. Now Jesus tells them they only have a few more days to wait. Expectant, impatient, excited, they ask if it is now that he is going to restore the kingdom (6). But they had not understood. They still saw “kingdom” in worldly, political terms, anticipating independence from Roman rule with Jesus as a priestly King. God’s Kingdom is far bigger than that. They are also too otherworldly. When Jesus was taken up, he made clear they should not keep waiting for him to reappear. They stand gazing into the sky, looking for something more to happen. The angels call them back to reality (11). Jesus will be back, but now it is time for their work as witnesses to begin.
Apply
Are you waiting for something, perhaps something from the Lord? If so, ask the Lord to use your waiting time.
Closing prayer
Lord, I don’t always like to wait, but I ask You to help me to do it patiently, trusting in Your timing.
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