Ascension

We rest on the brink of the birth of the Church. Yes, next Sunday is Pentecost. As all other monumental moments in the life of the Christian faith, we must ask, “What would we be doing if we really believed it?”

Where would you and I have been if we lived back then with Peter, James, and John? Well, we probably would have been doing whatever they were doing, going about our regular tasks, making sure there was food on the table for our family, laughing with friends, visiting those we loved, gathering in groups to think, talk, and pray about all that had transpired in our community since Jesus had died and risen again.

I don’t think we would have had much of a clue about what was about to happen. There is no Scripture that indicates the disciples had abandoned everything else in life to seclude themselves from the world. The words of the angels at the Ascension brought the disciple back to reality. The angels said, “Why are standing with your mouths open gazing at the clouds? GO! Do what Jesus instructed. Be busy preparing yourselves to receive the power of God!”  So they gathered in Jerusalem to be prepared.  

Next week we will celebrate that day. What will you do to be prepared? Are you ready to receive the power of God upon your life? Are you ready to be challenged as you have never been challenged before? Are you ready to be asked to do what you cannot do in your own power, but which will indeed be done because the Holy Spirit now abides in you and in me?

The life of Peter gives us a clear picture of the power of the Spirit in the life of an ordinary person. Peter was impulsive. You know, that raising Peter had to be a handful. He was always into something, doing before thinking, forgetting the consequences of his actions. When Jesus told the parable about counting the cost before you build, I think somewhere in that story he would have glanced over at Peter and given him a wink. Peter was selfish. He let Jesus die alone, not even claiming him as a friend he would stand beside in his hour of need.

Living in the power of the Spirit was not about Peter getting a new personality. It was about taking that radical, devil-may-care personality and directing it with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is not about being out of control. It is the reassurance of the power of God living in you and knowing that power is in control of all things, even those consequences Peter seemed to care so little about. That Spirit is the same Spirit alive in you! Prepare to be empowered!

Pastor Craig