What a challenging time it must have been for the followers of Yeshua, after He suffered and died on the cross and was buried in a tomb. Yeshua had graciously (and prophetically) warned them about what was going to happen over and over, but when it actually happened, they still seem to have been caught unprepared with how to deal with the situation. In His compassion and love for His followers, Yeshua presented Himself alive after His crucifixion and burial. He provided many convincing proofs of the physical resurrection of His body and gives specific instructions to His followers over a period of 40 days with many, many witnesses. He also emphasized the importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit before His followers were to leave to start their mission.
1The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
9And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Yeshua knows that we, His followers, need a lot of help! When it was time for Him to return up to heaven, God came in the form of the Holy Spirit to fill believers with part of Himself as a helper for us in our daily lives. What a wonderful Creator! It seems He truly thinks of everything… because He does! The Spirit comforts, counsels, teaches, and guides us, constantly pointing us toward Jesus Christ.
Yeshua’s followers ask about the timing to restore the kingdom of Israel… Yeshua once again reaffirms that the timing is not to be known and instead brings their focus back to the Holy Spirit and tells them to witness for Him throughout the world. This is what Yeshua wanted His disciples to focus on. This is what He wants us to focus on. It is important!
7He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Having given this important command, we often refer to as The Great Commission, Yeshua is taken up to heaven. Even as He goes, the Father provides reassurance that Yeshua will come again, in like manner to that in which He left. Yeshua’s return will not be subtle. It will leave no doubt. He will come with great glory and power.
In the meantime, we as His followers are called to seek and obey the Holy Spirit within us and carry out the mission Yeshua gave us to spread the good news of the gospel throughout the world! Of course to state the obvious, we need to start with how we live our own lives before we will be effective sharing with others and leading them to Yeshua.
Get started by learning some core teachings:
- Message of the Cross – Salvation
- Learning to Pray Effectively
- God Reveals Himself Through The Holy Trinity
- Spiritual Warfare
- The Great Commission – Making Disciples of All the Nations
- The Great Commission – Personal Discipleship Plan
- Understanding the Law – What Does It Mean For Us Today?
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, thank You for sending Yeshua and for sending the Holy Spirit to help lead and guide us. Please help me to be still and seek You and listen to Your instruction. Help Your people everywhere to be truly Spirit led and not deceived by their own thoughts or desires. Help me to live out Your instruction in my life and also have the courage to lead others to You. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.