"In those days Peter stood up among the believers a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)" Acts 1:15
Several things come to mind about this verse as I think about what was going on in those days. Those days must have been remarkable. Imagine gathering and waiting in that upper room. Some expecting with bold faith for something to happen soon, others wondering whether anything would ever happen, a few maybe thinking 'what in the world am I doing here'.
The commercialization of everything in our consumeristic and materialistic society is totally out of control. Christmas stuff is up in September and the headlong rush into the “season” straight out of summer is only slowed down by the turning of Halloween into a National Holiday. What? Since when did Halloween become such a big deal? What happened to a simple neighborhood trick or treat tradition? “All Saint Day” or “Day of the Dead” has become an adult event with kids tagging along for candy. It is all about money and buying stuff and yet another excuse for an over-stimulated culture to “PARTY”.
This is why Thanksgiving is under attack these days. There is a strong movement to end it and replace it with a day to celebrate “Immigrants and Refuges”. What? Certainly we should be concerned about the plight of these being victimized by other’s agendas, but let’s address the need, don’t celebrate it! I know it is hard to turn thankfulness into a moneymaker, but if I am already under scrutiny for saying, “Merry Christmas”, instead of “Happy Holidays“, where will the madness stop?
"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Acts 1:14
So the Eleven are joined by many others in the Upper Room. It should be noted that men and women were united in prayer, including His family; His mother Mary and His half-brothers. Can you imagine? Still grieving and going through a host of emotions; some anticipating, some wondering, some doubting and some not sure what to think. But, together, in one accord (not talking about a Honda here) talking about spiritual unity. They were just praying, seeking the Lord and being obedient to wait, as they were instructed.
We have much to learn about unity, obedience and togetherness. It was not an open forum or a two hall meeting. It was a prayer gathering asking for God's provision, will and guidance, His power and presence.
"Then they return to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day walk from the city. When they arrived they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James." Acts 1:12-13
When I read and study the Bible I like to try and figure out who people are. So when it says they, I ask, "They who?" Easy in this passage because their names are listed. A familiar list, all the Apostles except Judas Iscariot who had hung himself.
They, the eleven now, had not walked far, a Sabbath's day journey was a common measurement used by Jews equal to about 3,000 feet. A little more than half a mile. They started out from the Mount of Olives where the Ascension had taken place and now we're gathering in an upper room to pray and wait. Like other passages of Scripture, no details about the conversation between them is given. But, you know there was talk. They had just seen Christ ascend and had been visited by angels. Maybe they were silent. I know at times when I have been greatly impacted I tend to clam up for a while. What would you have done? What would you be feeling and thinking? Picture yourself there. Amazing.
"After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight." Acts 1:9
Not much is said about the ascension of Jesus. Simply put, He had to go to finish His work and if He didn't go, He couldn't come back. Everything He did He promised and foretold He would do. All He has yet to do. He will do just as He promised.
How strange it must have been to see Him go. Are you ready to see Him again? Could you have let Him go easily? He is in us who believe. He never leaves or forsakes us. Hope this gives you a pause to think about how you would have felt to be there and how you feel right now being reminded that He is in you.
"There are many who say, 'Who will show us some good?' Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!' You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." Psalm 4:6-7
Human beings exist in the present, but they often live in the past or in the future. I can't even begin to tell you how many of my thoughts live in other places other than today. I dream about the places I'll go, the people I'll meet, the person I might someday marry, the children I might someday have. Particularly in harder seasons, my mind is drawn into these fantasies. Sometimes, I believe that if I was there, then I would finally feel joyful all the time.
"After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "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." Acts 1:9-11
I don't know how long they stared. Long enough for God to send angels to help them move forward. The shock and awe of the ascension was replaced by the overwhelming phenomena of angels in their presence, plus speaking to them. The question the angels ask is a great one. One we all need to answer more often than we do. "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" My mom used to ask me a similar question as I stood staring into the refrigerator. She would ask... "What are you waiting for.... Wagon Train?" (A soon to be forgotten line from a black and white TV show that inferred that I had been waiting too long for something that wasn't going to happen soon.) That meant for me to make up my mind.
"He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:7-8
I know when we are not sure we like or need time to think about what we just heard we might ask, "whaddya mean?" I am not particularly fond of that question. As a parent, my stock response was... "I mean what I say and say what I mean." Eventually such conversations often ended with my question, "What part of NO don't you understand?"
“9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” " Romans 12:9-21
I know this is a somewhat long passage of Scripture, but I couldn’t pick just a few of these verses, they’re all so good! So, instead, I’ll let the verses speak for themselves and keep my commentary brief (how much more often should we listen, and contemplate, rather than speak?! Speaking to myself here!)
"So when they met together, they asked Him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:6
We human types, Apostles or not, can't seem to maintain our big picture objectivity very long. After the directive from Jesus to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit, they just had to ask if He was gonna take over and disempower the Romans and the power structure of the Temple Priests and frankly maybe use them in the new world order.
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