“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised…” Acts 1:4
Squinting up at the brilliant sky, the disciples strained to see Jesus as He rose and was swallowed up in a billowing cloud. The Teacher was alive! Unbelievable! The disciples were filled with joy and excitement.
A few days before they had thought all was lost. Their Teacher had died on a cross. They had spent the weekend fearful they would share the same fate.
For forty days the resurrected Teacher had walked and talked with His disciples. Concepts that seemed difficult before the resurrection now made sense to them. Then He gathered them together on this mountain. The disciples were eager to tell the world about their Teacher.
Their Teacher had forgiven them. He loved them enough to challenge them to be what He saw they could become. They had a new life, hope and purpose because of Him.
They were eager to go to the whole world with this news, but the Teacher had one word for them, “Wait.” He told them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God would transform them and light an unquenchable fire within them to make disciples for Jesus!
It was hard to wait. Their souls were filled with love for the Teacher. It seemed odd to return to the Upper Room to wait and pray for what the Teacher had promised. People asked, “What are you doing up there in that room?” They would respond, “Waiting.”
For ten days the disciples waited in the room. As they waited, they prayed. As they prayed, they repented of all that had kept them from loving the Teacher and each other completely. Enemies became friends in that room. Believers became brothers. Those who had gossiped about each other became brothers and sisters. The focus was simply Jesus. The grudges were gone. The bitterness given up.
The promised gift did not come at once. For nine days nothing extraordinary happened. The Teacher’s promise remained unfulfilled.
On the tenth day, the Holy Spirit poured out His Presence with raw power! The Spirit roared into the room like a mighty rushing wind. What appeared to be flames of fire hovered over each believer.
Each person was overwhelmed with a hunger to live for Jesus. Every believer was moved to be fearlessly faithful to God, without regard for the consequences. They now spoke with a convincing power that called people to stand up for Jesus, to run from compromise and to follow Him anywhere, anytime, at any cost.
Mentoring Moments
- Think of a time when you were very thirsty. What would you have given for something refreshing to drink? Why?
- Read Acts 1:4, 5, 8 and 2:1-4, 8,11. What did Jesus promise? What happened as a result of the disciples’ waiting and preparing to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? What did the Holy Spirit empower the disciples to declare in many languages? (See Acts 2:8,11.)
- How will you receive this gift Jesus promised? Practice these steps:
- John 7:37-39–Believe in Jesus and be thirsty for more of Him.
- Acts 2:38,39–Repent and be baptized.
- Acts 5:32–Obey God. Luke 11:11-13–Ask God for the Holy Spirit and receive Him by faith in God’s Word.
- What if you asked for the Holy Spirit of God to fill you every day? How would your life change? I invite you to ask God now for this gift.
This resource was written by Don Maclafferty as a supporting resource for The Hopeful. The Hopeful was produced by Hope Studios, the cinematic brand of Hope Channel International.
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