This day marks the ascension of Christ. It is important for
us as Christians to prepare ourselves within the next four days as the spirit
pours. The main thrust of the passage read is the need and devotion to prayer.
Having but limited human minds, we might be tempted to wonder why the risen
Christ spent so much time (40 days) appearing to his disciples- what we call
the resurrection appearances and again why did Jesus tell his disciples to wait
in Jerusalem for the holy spirit and it took ten days- when the apostles had a
great task ahead of them i.e. bringing good news to the whole world.
Beloved in the Lord, Jesus in acts 1:6-14 teaches the early
church and by extension to us today to be united and devoted to prayer as they
waited for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Three weeks ago, we were all caught up
in the experience of the disciples in acts 1:6. They asked, “Lord are you at
this time going to restore the Kingdom”. Jesus answered, “it is not for you to know the
times and dates father has set by his own authority”. (v.7)
In fact, the disciples were more concerned about the actual
timetable for setting up the kingdom of God. They did not want to miss the
opportunity to establish it then and there with themselves installed as the
ministers of this Kingdom. This is because they hungered for kingdom
restoration in their time. They longed to see political authority excercised
against their enemies and rulers the Romans. Jesus here teaches them that
the task ahead of them is not about when the kingdom would be established but
about being able to receive the power of the Holy Spirit for mission 3.
Brethren, how do we prepare for Pentecost? The explicit
command of Jesus is to wait. Again, how are we to wait? Is it to sit down idly
and speculate? Is it to gossip about people to in the church, workplace,
schools et.c. Is it to move from one prayer meeting to another thinking we
would get our prayers answered.
Waiting is to unite in prayer to prepare for Pentecost. Our
best waiting for Christ’s return is to waiting for the spirit to give us the
power to be his witnesses in the world. The disciples joined together v.14.
K.J.V uses- “with the accord” they waited in the spirit of expectancy, in
prayer in repentance and in deep fellowship; it might have included fasting.
When we include ourselves in prayers, he prepares us for the task of evangelism.
He uses vessels that are prepared.
Pentecost demands serious preparation. We undervalue uniting
in prayer because we overvalue personal schedules. Prayerfulness for these
disciples was faithfulness.
Beloved in the Lord, this is the lesson Jesus teaches us in
john 17: which is known as, the high priestly prayer.Jesus does three prayers
in this chapter:
1) prayer for himself. (v.1-5)
2) prayer for his disciples. (v.6-19)
3) and for future believers.(v. 20-26)
1) prayer for himself. (v.1-5)
2) prayer for his disciples. (v.6-19)
3) and for future believers.(v. 20-26)
Jesus prayer for himself focuses on his glorified. Jesus was
glorified for God when he went through suffering on cross, death, resurrection
and ascension and now sits at the right hand side of God. His original place of
honour and authority. This explains Steven word in Acts 7:56, when he was being
stoned. Look he said, “I see heaven open and the son of Man seated at the right
hand side of God.”
Jesus requested god for protection by his power for his
disciples. Jesus did not pray for the disciples to be taken out of this world;
he prayed that they might find victory and not escape, for we are in the world
but not of the world. The core message here for us is that, it is in the rough
and rumble of life that we must live out he Christian life. This is why he
prayed and is still praying for us to be united in harmony and love as the
father, son and the Holy Spirit are united. The strangest of all unions. Unity
was never meant to withdraw a man from life, but to equip him better for it ;
it does not offer us easy peace but a triumphant warfare over sin and the world; it does not offer us a
life in which troubles are faced and conquered.
Beloved, this is the essence of 1 Pet 4:12-14, 5:6-11 read
to us. Peter wrote to Jewish Christians who were experiencing persecution for
their faith in Asia Minor under Emperor Nero. Throughout the Roman Empire,
Christians were being tortured and killed for their faith. So peter wrote to
comfort them with hope and eternal life, and challenged them to continue living
holy lives.
Beloved we must remember that we become partners or in union
with Christ in his suffering when we undergo suffering and persecution for our
faith.
Finally brethren, Jesus prayed for the unity of his
disciples. Where there are divisions, exclusiveness, where there is competition
between Christians, the cause of Christianity is harmed and the prayer of Jesus
is frustrated. Beloved, the gospel cannot truly be preached in any congregation
which is not one united band of believers. The world cannot be evangelised by
competing Christians.
May God help us as we prepare for Pentecost to be united in
prayer and suffering with Christ so as to share in his glory when he appears. Amen.
Roderick k. Deist once said; little prayer, little power, much prayer; much power.
Amen.
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