Acts 1: 1 “In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, 2 until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3 After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 And while they were gathered together,a He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. ”
His name was Luke and he was a doctor, possibly a Greek physician. Luke was not one of the twelve disciples, but he was a very careful historian who recorded the Gospel that bears his name as well as the Book of Acts. As a doctor in those times, Luke had to take very detailed histories to be able to diagnose his patients – after all, there was practically nothing else to go on apart from the physical exam. So Luke interviewed as many of the disciples and the other followers of Jesus as he could before he began writing. And now Luke is turning his attention to the time just after the crucifixion.
There was a period of forty days during which Jesus appeared to the disciples and taught them things that they had been unable to understand previously. And one thing that Jesus promised was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Luke had already mentioned this unusual baptism in Luke 3:16 John (the Baptist) answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
None of the believers doubted that John the Baptist was a prophet, and that he was speaking about Jesus. But the disciples were probably perplexed about this second baptism. And now Jesus himself is also mentioning a baptism of the Holy Spirit. The general reaction among the disciples might have been “Huh?” But the one thing the disciples did understand was that Jesus wanted them to stay in Jerusalem and to wait on God to move.
Today many of us are sheltering at home and feeling confined and frustrated. We may have viewed most of the TV programs we wanted. We have read and re – read our books. We may have completed all our home improvement projects. What’s next? May I dare suggest that you pray and ask the Heavenly Father for guidance. Perhaps God is giving you this time so that you can draw closer to Him and know more about Him. Perhaps God has been trying to get your attention but your days were so hectic that it has been difficult to think about anything other than surviving and making it through until the following day. Rather than becoming frustrated, consider that God has given you a precious gift of time in which you can become closer to Him.
PRAYER: Father God, we thank you that you are keeping us healthy. But Lord, we are bored and frustrated and concerned. Please help us to use this time to draw close to you. Give us small tokens of your love. And help us to seek your face as we never have before. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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