Promise Of Pentecostal Gift

And being assembled with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me. Acts 1: 4.

What is the occasion? What is the setting? When Luke, who is named as the author of the Acts of the Apostles, writes about Jesus’ final days on earth in flesh and bones, with His disciples, before His Ascension, he tells us this interesting life-covering detail about his Risen Lord. First, he lets us know that Jesus presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1: 3b. 

He also lets us know that Jesus had called them all together, after those forty days of convincing proofs that He was alive in flesh and bones, for them, His disciples, to witness His Ascension. Just as they had witnessed His grueling Crucifixion, before their tear-clouded, stunned eyes, so too He wanted them to witness His glorious Ascension, before their awestricken glad eyes. It was while they were assembled together at His bidding that Jesus gave this final instruction to them, as their Master in flesh Body. Jesus, their Risen Lord, Master and Friend, now about to be taken up into heaven, while in His Resurrected Body, speaks His final words to them. Ponder them deeply, carefully and with all the joy your faith affords. 

His Command. Jesus’ final farewell to His friends, the disciples, included a most mysterious, yet mesmerizing command. Do not depart from Jerusalem. Remember, He was the Person who called them out of Jerusalem, to meet Him in a place called Olivet, which was outside of Jerusalem. We know this because Luke, very precise and a stickler to fine details, tells of how, they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. Acts 1: 12

His Counsel. Jesus’ final farewell to His friends, the disciples, included wise counsel, which can only be heeded with faith and trust in their present Risen Lord. Why do I say this? I know this for several reasons, but the one I bring you is that of Jerusalem fear. Jerusalem is a hostile place for them still, because those who had their Master and Lord crucified, have not closed the books on Jesus. The Jewish authorities have been hearing rumours about Jesus’ disciples taking His Body and saying that He is alive. These men of high order are really not at ease in mind about the Nazarene and have their eyes on His disciples.  The disciples are not comfortable in Jerusalem, but Jesus has told them to return and they do so obediently, though in fear of the Jewish leaders.

We know that they returned. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying. Acts 1: 13a. It was the same place where Jesus had visited them, on the evening of His Resurrection. Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews. John 20: 19a. Return and wait, for the Promise of the Father, was the wise counsel given by Jesus, just minutes before He left them and ascended into heaven.

His Confirmation. Jesus’ final farewell to His friends, the disciples, included confirming what was already spoken to them, as He jolted their memory. These friends of His have been through much, and He is very mindful and sympathetic of their human foibles. It is because He understands their weakness in mind especially, that He is able to gently remind and confirm in them and for them, what you have heard from Me. His final farewell words are about a Promise of Father God, which He confirms in them.

As I am writing this, suddenly, for the first time, I see Jesus, as if giving a preview of the Promised One to come – the Holy Spirit - reminding them of what He has already told them. Remember, it was Jesus’ own description of the Holy Spirit, which included Him bringing things of Jesus, back to their memory. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14: 26. Indeed! Can’t you see this as a taste of what is to come?

As they are gathered around their Jesus, fully convinced of His resurrection and that He was with them in flesh and bones, Jesus makes this promise to them of receiving His power, Holy Spirit power.

Believers in our Ascended Lord Jesus, let us be forever mindful with ever grateful hearts and informed minds, that it is in Jesus’ Final Farewell, before leaving this earth in Risen Body, we have the unwavering promise  of the Pentecostal Gift.

Rejoice! Give praise and thanks that we are not a Pentecostal-free people.