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 commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. – Not surprisingly Luke wrote Luke’s gospel after a lot of research! Here he writes book number 2. The book of Acts gives in these beginning first verses much information and a strong foundation for our Christian faith. The first foundation stone is that Jesus didn’t swoon after His terrible ordeal, only to wake up and finally gasp His dying last breath! He, Jesus, as Luke tells us and as Paul reaffirms strongly in 1 Corinthians 15 stayed around and met many, either individually, in small groups or in quite large ones for about 40 days, before very much alive returning to Heaven! At the time of both Luke and Paul’s writing most of the 500 or so people with whom Jesus had met after His resurrection were still alive, and so were available for double, face to face, checking on the reality of the story. Obviously they are not available for us, but we have centuries to look back on and check on His Resurrection results!
And while staying with them he ordered 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 you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” – Jesus had promised His Holy Spirit coming to replace His physical presence with the Divine indwelling Presence to teach, guide and strengthen all believers scattered worldwide! Jesus had ‘breathed’ the Holy Spirit onto those who were His close disciples but here Jesus promises a grand entry of the Holy Spirit into all believers! They are to wait until that spectacular coming!
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 that the Father has fixed 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 and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, 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.” – The almost universal Jewish expectation had been that when the Messiah came He would rule on earth. That had not happened so not surprisingly as they gather for His departure they ask when, how soon, what’s next questions! Obviously in view of the Resurrection and His glorious New Life they expected something to happen! They were given the answer which probably frustrated them as it does people today! Wait, Be subject to the Spirit, Witness for He is coming back. When? In God’s good time! But?, but?, but….? Listen carefully …. W, beS, W, He will come! But where is He now? Tomorrow’s question!
Proverb: How long is a piece of string? –my wife’s words as I wait!
Prayer: I than k You Jesus that You will come! Let me be like one prepared but patient.
As I read it! 