Acts 1:1-11 (NIV)
The first passage in Acts serves as a kind of link between Luke and Acts, these two books are designed as two volumes that complete a unified story. We learn that Jesus has been hanging out with His Disciples in his newly resurrected body for 40 days! He’s Teaching them, eating with them, and helping them understand how he is where the story of scripture was headed all along.
And we have to remember that at the beginning for 40 days, these disciples experienced the trauma of watching Jesus be brutally executed, and then encounter him risen from the dead three days later. And here he is commissioning them to make disciples of all nations. This small group of struggling followers are faced with a task that far exceeds their ability.
Have you ever felt that way, like the work before you is like 100 sizes too big? We all react differently to that kind of thing, some of us power up to try to beat the job before it beats us, some of us shut down and back away from the Job before we have a chance to be so disappointed or embarrassed. Jesus doesn’t want them to do either of these things.
He says directly, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. This expanding map would have seemed so far out of reach for these folks. But he doesn’t ask them to do it in their own strength, he says they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them. The Lord prepares and the Lord empowers.
----------REFLECT----------
1. As you listened to the passage, what do you imagine the disciples must have been feeling?
2. Is there something that Jesus has called you to that seems way outside of what seems possible given your, your courage, your competence, your capacity or control? Where in your life do you feel out of your depth?
3. When you are in over your head, you don’t need a better strategy, a self help book, or even another podcast… because often these are just ways that we try to optimize our own power… no we need power from the outside that will never fail… we need the Holy Spirit. As the LORD to help you make space for the Spirit as we begin this series of Acts.
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Bible Project: Acts 1-12 Overview >>
InterVarsity Press Selections: Acts >>
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