Luke 24:36-49 (NIV); reference Acts 2

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 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.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Reflection:

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and told them to stay in the city. He promised them that, as they waited, they would be clothed with “power from on high.” What was it like to stay and wait? Did the disciples just sit around and do nothing? No, “they all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14) As they continued to meet together and pray day after day, the Holy Spirit came down powerfully at Pentecost, filling them and empowering them to speak the gospel in all different languages and thus doing things far above anything they could have imagined. As it was back then for the early church, it is the same in our churches today. We wait on the Lord as we meet together constantly. We pray as He leads us into His next steps on the sweet journey. As God enables His church with the Spirit, this is how we walk together without growing weary, run without falling and soar high as on eagles’ wings.

Response:

Let’s pray for each of the churches and the New York church plant. May we wait on the Lord and the Spirit’s filling and leading. Let’s pray that we will walk, run and soar relying on God’s strength and power. Let’s ask that God will use us, His church, to do greater things for His glory and kingdom.