Common experiences - a time for everything *

NORSK
In the passage I have been reflecting on in the past days, Jesus says something I think is important to remember:

“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.”
Luke 24:49

The order to stay in the city can of course have something to do with the prophetic role of Jerusalem in God’s plan of salvation (1), but I think it was important for Jesus to tell that they had to be together when the empowerment would take place. 

The importance of sharing the same experience is also seen in the way Jesus revealed himself after the Resurrection. They who were not present, doubted that it had happened; while they who were together when Jesus suddenly came and just as suddenly disappeared could confirm for each other what they had experienced (2). If it happened only individually, doubt can suddenly turn up as an uninvited guest: “Was it just a dream?”

When I was in Tromsø in the early 70's, we experienced a lot of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and many people were saved. Some years ago, one who was part of all the great things happening, said: 

“Please tell me that it was like that!” 
– “Yes, it was, I was there when it happened!”

The more who can confirm an experience, the better. Paul wrote:

After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:6

Imagine being able to attend a testimony-meeting with that crowd!

The disciples needed to be together in the city to be able to affirm for each other what had happened when the difficult days came.

‘Manna’ for today:

It is important to affirm the presence of the Lord!

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(1) See, e.g.: “What is the most special aspect of Jerusalem”
(2) See: “The discovery of the heart – a time for everything”
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.