Reshaped: Day 13 - Mary
Empowerment
Reading Acts 1:12-2:4
Three days and the grave gave up Jesus’ body. The beginning of Acts recounts the ascension of Jesus to heaven. How devastating the cross but how healing His final days on earth must have been!
As in all things, God had a greater plan for His followers than they could have imagined. No one wanted Jesus to leave, but Jesus explained that He needed to ascend to heaven so a helper could come forth. This helper was a mystery to all, but Jesus knew that believers needed empowerment to complete the task of spreading the gospel. So at His ascension, a powerful plan was set in motion.
Jesus’ followers were instructed to gather in an upper room in Jerusalem. Among the many believers present were Mary and Jesus’ brothers. We do not know when Jesus’ brothers were converted. Could it have been at the cross when the ground shook or was it at His resurrection? We do not know, but we know they came to the saving knowledge of Jesus.
Scriptures says the believers in the upper room were of one accord. Suddenly a mysterious sound of rushing wind filled the entire house. Tongues of fire landed on each person unleashing a new language from their lips. In those moments everyone was caught up in the power of the Holy Spirit, His very essence flooding their hearts. The scene was so uproarious that the people outside gathered around. What was going on?
As in all things, God had a greater plan for His followers than they could have imagined. No one wanted Jesus to leave, but Jesus explained that He needed to ascend to heaven so a helper could come forth. This helper was a mystery to all, but Jesus knew that believers needed empowerment to complete the task of spreading the gospel. So at His ascension, a powerful plan was set in motion.
Jesus’ followers were instructed to gather in an upper room in Jerusalem. Among the many believers present were Mary and Jesus’ brothers. We do not know when Jesus’ brothers were converted. Could it have been at the cross when the ground shook or was it at His resurrection? We do not know, but we know they came to the saving knowledge of Jesus.
Scriptures says the believers in the upper room were of one accord. Suddenly a mysterious sound of rushing wind filled the entire house. Tongues of fire landed on each person unleashing a new language from their lips. In those moments everyone was caught up in the power of the Holy Spirit, His very essence flooding their hearts. The scene was so uproarious that the people outside gathered around. What was going on?
Question
- God’s timing is perfect. Jewish people had travelled from afar when God’s power fell on Jesus’ followers. Can you imagine the impact Spirit-led men and women had on them? Jesus had put the crowning touch on His followers to enable them to effectively spread His gospel.