The important last promise - a time for everything *

NORSK
Yesterday I reflected for the last important lesson embedded in what Jesus did in the moment before he was taken up into heaven. If we combine Luke's account of the ascension of Jesus in the gospel with his version of the narrative in Acts, we see that just before Jesus blessed the disciples, he gave this promise:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you
Acts 1:8

Jesus made it clear that the disciples should wait until they were equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit before they started the mission.

I used to wonder why Jesus didn’t just give them the Holy Spirit before he left them. I choose to believe that it was because he wanted the disciples to long for the promise to be fulfilled - the desire for it to happen should not only be owned by Jesus, but also shared by the 11 and their 109 friends. I believe that this is the reason why they were given ten days entirely on their own to reflect on everything they had learned.

The free will is "holy" to God because it is part of his image in us. Therefore, we must desire whatever God wants to give us.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon me

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* '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

The promise of the Father – a time for everything *

NORSK
This is the fourth time I quote the same verse in this series, and I guess it will be the last for now:

And look, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. Luke 24:49a

I love to be reminded of God's promises. It strengthens the faith to see the fulfillment of the promises in the Bible. It is likely that the promise Jesus was referring to is the same Peter used when he spoke to the great crowd on the day of Pentecost: “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (1).

Thus Jesus repeated the promise and Peter did the same when he came to the end of his speech. He urged the audience to repent and receive forgiveness for sins, followed by the promise:

“And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:38b-39

Therefore, the promise applies to all who receive the call – even we who are ‘far off’ many generations later. I know it is true because I have experienced it myself.

‘Manna’ for today:

For he who gave the promise is faithful. (2)

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(1) Acts 2:16-17a, which is taken from Joel 2:28-29
(2) Hebr 10:23b
* '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

Is 'upon' an important word? - a time for everything *

NORSK
When I was young, I had lots of questions about the Holy Spirit. I read books and spoke with experienced disciples and discovered that many focused on the importance of the Spirit coming upon us. There is substantial Biblical support for such thoughts, and we find it in a verse I have already quoted a couple of times in this series of reflections:

And look, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you.
Luke 24:49a

When I surrendered to Jesus and invited him into my life at the age of 14, the Holy Spirit moved into my spirit. I believe that all who have received Jesus have also received the Holy Spirit. With the Spirit in us, we are new creatures and as such we are able to recognize the Holy Spirit when he comes upon us.

I have definitely had many experiences of the Holy Spirit coming 'upon' me both in solitude and in fellowship with many others. This can be very different in expressions and intensity, but even when the expression is unknown, the Holy Spirit can be recognized by the fruit – the presence of divine love. If what the Father has promised comes from on high, it may not be so strange that it will come ‘upon’ us. Paul urged us to search for it:

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above”
Col 3:1a

The disciples also had to seek for that which was promised and they waited for it for ten days. For Paul, being raised with Christ is synonym with being a new creature. It shows that seeking for that which is promised to come ‘over’ me is an invitation that is still valid even though I live in a good relationship with the Lord.

‘Manna’ for today

I want the Holy Spirit to come over me!

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* '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 ime between Easter and Pentecost