Wait…Wait…Wait…

Peter Neilson April 29, 2024 0 0

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Acts 1:1-5 (NIVUK)

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’

Dr Luke had a heart for the outsider. His earlier volume on the life of Jesus (the Gospel of Luke) had majored on Jesus’ ministry to the poor and the oppressed, beginning with the Nazareth Manifesto and ending with a promise of Paradise to a dying thief. That “outsider” focus is about to return in volume two (Acts of the Apostles, which we’re reading from today).

There is a “missing volume” compressed into the description of Jesus spending six weeks teaching his disciples about the Kingdom of God. What a tantalising omission! What did he say that he had not already told them – and us? Maybe it just made more sense this side of resurrection.

And then casually, “on one occasion, while he was eating with them (!!)”, they are given a word of restraint, to wait for the gift of the Spirit. There is a gestation period required before Jesus can be born again among his people by the Spirit. The Good Shepherd speaks as a shepherd speaks to his faithful dog, “Wait…Wait…Wait…”

Prayer:

Maybe we did not “get it” the first time, Lord.

We have read those stories so often,

Lost sheep and coins, a good Samaritan and a widow’s offering,

But we have missed the point.

Maybe you need to sit down with us again, Lord,

On this side of resurrection,

No longer anxious, no longer possessed by our possessions,

Freed to live a resurrected life beyond our fears of little deaths.

Maybe we need to stop rushing on ahead of You, Lord,

And wait for Your gift that will turn us inside out,

in bolder, wilder pursuit of Your elusive Kingdom. AMEN