6 So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power. 8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. 9 And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them, 11 Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven. Acts 1:6-11
According to The Gospels, after Christ was resurrected he appeared to his apostles several times. This passage in the book of Acts is special because I think it gives a great picture of where many believers find themselves currently, or at some point in their life. The remaining 11 apostles had a personal encounter with Jesus after a very dark day, or period in their lives. For 3 years they traveled, served, and learned from him on a daily basis, to the point that they believed him to be the Messiah as a result of the miracles and words he shared. Fast forward to Good Friday, and they see the man who they believed, trusted, and relied on die before their eyes and be placed in a tomb. Holy Saturday comes and goes, and you’re left with the abandonment, disappointment, fear, confusion, and a range of other emotions; Black Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday comes and you learn that the tomb where he was lain is empty. Imagine going through these experiences, and then suddenly Jesus returns again in the flesh and spends time with you, how would that feel for you? You feel like this is an opportunity to ask all the questions you were too scared to ask before, or new questions that are brought about by the recent events. This passage in Acts is that exact situation, the apostles are assembled with Jesus and I imagine that they are asking him every question under the sun, until he stops them. Jesus takes this moment to set things in order and to remind them that everything isn’t meant for them to know at that moment, and to remind them of their assignment. I use this passage because I think that alot of believers can become stuck in the place (a spiritual, emotional, or physical place) where they last encountered Jesus. They can feel the need or desire to remain there, alone with him as a place of privilege, or like its the only place where Jesus can be felt, or effective. The apostles like believers today had become fixated on signs/indicators to Christ’s kingdom, which could have caused them to lose sight of their actual assignment, which required them to work incessantly to not only spread the Gospel to others, but also maintain their salvation; because nobody works as hard or is as committed to their assignment as someone who doesn’t know when their work will be evaluated. Jesus gave them clear instructions as to what they were supposed to do once they received the Holy Spirit, and then he departed in their presence. That’s where the apostles like many believers become stuck. I don’t believe that current Christians don’t know what to do in regards to their assignment, because all of our assignments is the same; we are to witness to the lost and reflect Christ. Christians like the apostles are stuck where they last encountered Jesus because they don’t believe that the Holy Spirit has or will equip them for the assignment that Christ has given them. The apostles stood in still after Jesus ascended, to the point where angels had to goad the apostles to move so that they could receive and experience what Jesus had already promised them. Like the apostles, in order for us to receive what we need from Jesus to fulfill our assignment, we must move to the place that he commanded us to be so that we’ll be in position to receive it. The apostles had to leave the place where Jesus ascended so that they could return to Jerusalem where they would receive the Holy Spirit; we must follow his instructions found in his word to position ourselves so that we can receive his promises, which serve to help us lead others to Christ. The equipping for the work is found while moving in obedience. Get moving, and allow God to equip and prepare you after you arrive at the designated place, and doing your assigned task.
19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
Matthew 28:19-29 AMPC
15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. 16 He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.
Mark 16:15-16 AMPC
49 And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high.
Luke 24:49-50 ampc
50 Then He conducted them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He invoked a blessing on them.
Reflection Time
What does Christ’s ascension mean to you? Do you feel like you’re fulfilling God’s assignment for your life? What do you think you need, or what are you waiting for if you don’t feel equipped to be completing his assignment for your life? Do you believe that the Holy Spirit is available for you, and do you believe that the Holy Spirit is enough for you to do God’s will? Pray and evaluate your life now and allow God to show you if you’re currently stuck in a place that you should have moved on from.
