Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 4:32-33
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Reflection: As usual, the disciples are focusing on details, dates and times, things not in line with the heart of what Jesus is trying to reveal to them. Jesus proclaims that God’s promise is greater, and that it is more important to embrace the fulfillment of His promise because of who they are and what they are called to do. God promised that His Holy Spirit would come and fill and empower His people for His mission and kingdom and glory, and He has fulfilled His promise! May we live in this fulfilled promise everyday!
Response:Just as in the book of Acts - we truly need the empowering of the Spirit everyday to live. Jesus has fulfilled His promise to us and given us the Holy Spirit. There is no greater power that we could ever ask for when we speak of this resurrected Lord of all. Let’s ask for the Spirit’s empowering today while at home, at work or in school today, and that we would live in this amazing fulfilled promise of God.
