Verse
In my first book [Luke's gospel] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Thought
God's leaders in the Old Testament spoke through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was God in human flesh, so Luke emphasized that Jesus' words carried the authority of God — giving "instructions through the Holy Spirit." We will see some of these "instructions" on the next three days. When Jesus spoke these words to his "chosen apostles," they were his last words with them on earth. As we eavesdrop on the things that the Lord said, they detail the importance of the challenges that lay ahead for the apostles. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem. They had witnessed great things. They had been chosen to experience the unimaginable. Nevertheless, to do what they needed to do, they needed the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. So, Jesus promised to pour out the Holy Spirit on them at the Pentecost Festival. The Spirit would empower and inspire those once fearful and deeply flawed disciples, making them bold as they shared their message with the authority of Jesus. Their courage empowered by the Holy Spirit would change the course of history, forever.
Prayer
Almighty God, I am convicted that I need to listen to Jesus' words more attentively, and I need to seek the power of the Holy Spirit more faithfully. I recognize that if the apostles needed the Spirit's power and guidance, then I certainly do as well. Please know that I am committed to seek and to wait and to listen, and then to obey as your Holy Spirit works in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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