WAIT FOR POWER FIRST

                         

In the science of electricity, it has been found that the best form in which motive power can be used to run cars is not through storage batteries, but through overhead wires. The power is not stored up in the car, but in the dynamo and the wire. The car just draws it from above by constant contact, and the moment it lets go its touch the power is gone. The power is not in the car, but in the wire. The car can only draw the power from the wire in so far as it follows the track.

After Jesus was killed on the cross, “God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24 ). Because Jesus overcame death , we shall overcome it as well (1Cor.6:14). Jesus foretold about his death and resurrection (Mark 8:31,10:32-34). They happened exactly the way he had said they would.

Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophesy (Isa. 26:19, Dan. 12:2-3). We can trust that the part of that prophecies that is not yet fulfilled will be fulfilled (John 5:28-29). Paul tells us that our salvation hinges on our belief in the resurrection, saying “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9).

Jesus had told his disciples about his death and resurrection. However they did not at the time understand what he meant (Mark 9:30-32). So, after he was killed they fled and hid fearing that the Jews would kill them too (John 20:19). The resurrection of Jesus changed their lives forever. It was a message of hope and joy to them; their savior was alive (Acts7:55-56; 9:3-5; Rev. 1:9-18)!

After witnessing the resurrection, the disciples boldly preached the gospel despite the persecution. With a strong faith and living hope of resurrection, they did not hesitate to take the path of martyrdom.  They were convinced beyond any doubt about their own resurrection and life beyond death. They boldly spoke about  resurrection of the dead and wrote about it for future generations to read.

After resurrection Jesus could have returned to His Father immediately but he did not do it. Acts 1:3 tells us that the period between the Resurrection and the Ascension was  40 days. . There is something about 40 days that is significant spiritually. The rains fell for 40 days and nights during Noah’s flood (Gen. 7:4). Moses spent 40 days in God’s presence on Mt. Sinai (Exod. 24:18).

The 12 spies spent 40 days exploring the land of Canaan (Num. 13:25)..A Generation wandered in the wilderness 40 years (Num. 14:32). Jonah warned Nineveh of coming judgment in 40 days (Jonah 3:4). Goliath challenged the Israelites for 40-days before David killed him (1Sam. 17:16).  A single meal from God gave Elijah strength for a walk forty days walk to Horeb the mountain of God (1Kings 19:8).

It is interesting to note that when Jesus began His ministry, He endured the Devil’s temptation for 40 days in the wilderness (Lk 4:1-2). At the end of His ministry, he was on Earth for 40 days between His resurrection and ascension to heaven. The tables had turned and Jesus triumphantly paraded His victory over the devil for 40 days.

Jesus was leaving not to return for at least 2000 years. During the 40 days period between the resurrection and his ascension into heaven Jesus accomplished several important goals.  One he presented himself to his followers and showed them convincingly that He was very much alive.

He made a public restoration of Simon Peter (John 21). Thinking that their Lord was gone and there was nothing more to do, Simon Peter said to some disciples, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing” (John 21). But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore.

He told them “cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some” . They were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of the fish. Jesus asked Peter whether he loved him (John 21:15-17).  The question was asked three times most likely to parallel the apostle’s three denials. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times during the Lord’s trial (John 18:15-27). The question is significant because Peter would lead the group in the mission ahead.

During those forty days after resurrection Jesus spoke to his disciples about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Jesus ended his earthly ministry with the same emphasis in which he began- the kingdom of God. After the wilderness temptations  he went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. the kingdom of God has come near he said (Mark 1:14-15).

The kingdom of God was clearly the central theme of Jesus’ teaching. He said that he was purposely sent to preaching about it (Luke 4:43).  When he suffered the death of common criminals it seemed to be a catastrophic ending to him and the kingdom he had claimed to represent on earth. That catastrophe turned to triumph three days later when he rose from the dead.

During those forty days Jesus expounded on how His death and resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (Lk. 24:43-49). He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Then he opened their minds so that they could understand the scriptures. 

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at  Jerusalem. you are witnesses of these things . i am going to send you what my father promised but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.

Jesus opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. He wanted them to understand that the cross was not some unfortunate obstacle that had to be hurdled. It was a necessary part of God’s redemptive plan for man. Jesus told them that they were witnesses of these things. He gave instructions that repentance be preached in his name to all nations; they were responsible for this work.

During one of his appearances he gave them a command. He told them “do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5).In Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist is recorded baptizing with water, but he spoke of the coming Messiah  who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

That promise was now about to be fulfilled. Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for it in Jerusalem. But that was the last place many of them wanted to be. Jerusalem was no longer a safe city. This was the city where Jesus had been crucified. If they killed Jesus, why wouldn’t they kill his followers? But Jesus commanded them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Why didn’t God send the Holy Spirit upon the disciples immediately so that work can begin? Why did the disciples have to wait for what God had already promised them? It’s not possible to answer these questions fully. They had no idea whether they will wait for a week, a month or an year. He just told them to wait. There are times in life when God says, “wait”. At such a time haste gains nothing if the Lord is not leading.

As the Israelites travelled from Egypt to Canaan, God guided them with the cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Sometimes the cloud would move for days on end. Then suddenly it would stop without any explanation. There are times when those weary Jews felt like shouting, “Why don’t you stop and let us rest?” Or “Lord, we’ve been here long enough. Can’t we move on now?” The command was “follow the cloud!”

Abraham and Sarah were kept waiting for 25 years after the promise for the birth of a heir. As days went by, panic and doubt crept in. Things were getting out of hand, Sarah was approaching menopause. In a moment of weakness they took matters into their own hands and Ishmael was born. God said that Ishmael “will live in hostility toward all his brothers” (Gen.16:12).  Why did God take that long to fulfill his promise?

There are times when God’s only command is to wait. When those moments come, God rarely explains himself or makes the big picture clear. All of this reminds us that in the end our God is sovereign and he chooses the times and places of life. He sets the path for each of his children and he does not consult us in advance. His judgments are unsearchable and his ways past finding out! (Rom 11:33-36)

What should you do while you wait? Do not panic and take matters into your own hands. Do your duty each day as God shows it to you. Surrender your life to him “your will be done.” At its core waiting is relying on God. Waiting is not easy or enjoyable; often it is very difficult. But we have this consolation; we serve an on-time God. He’s never early, he’s never late. Waiting serves his purposes in ways we don’t understand.

The disciples waited for ten days for the promised Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost came 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus. In God’s timetable, the coming of the Holy Spirit was to coincide with the Jewish Feast of Pentecost which comes fifty days after Passover. In order to protect their first-born children, the Israelites marked their doors with lamb's blood so the angel of death would pass over them (Exodus 12:13-28).

Pentecost was a time for Israel to offer to God the first fruits of their harvest (Lev.23:15-21). By His resurrection from the dead, Jesus became the first fruits of those who have died (1 Cor.15:20-23). God is a perfect planner; he is not an author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven; He makes everything beautiful in its time (Ec. 3:1,11).